Confederation Square

We’ve reached the famous Confederation Square, one of the most important plazas in the city. Here, you’ll find some of Ottawa’s most emblematic buildings. Behind you, on the left, you can see the National Arts Centre. On your right, there’s a captivating red building. It’s the Central Chambers, a fine example of the so-called Queen Anne Revivalist British architecture, often characterised by the use of red brick, white woodwork and a variety of decorative elements. A style quite popular in the 1870s, this building was constructed between 1890 and 1893 by John James Browne. It was formerly used as an office by the Canadian Atlantic Railway, then later repurposed for the National Capital Commission, in charge of city planning. It was registered as a National Historic Site in 1990. The building to its right, with the beautiful clock, is the Central Post Office. Built in 1939, the former post office was demolished to be replaced by the new square. It exhibits a lovely Château style, inspired by the French Renaissance with some Art Deco accents. But let’s move on! Before you, in the center of the square, stands the National War Memorial. Officially unveiled in 1939 by King George VI, it commemorates the victims and servicemen of World War I. It also pays tribute to victims of World War II and the Korean War. After winning a competition in 1925, Vernon March created this work of art, a 21 meters high triumphal arch crossed by 22 soldiers of all military forces. A rifleman, an aviator, a machine-gunner, a cavalryman, a cannoneer, a sailor, a stretcher-bearer and many others, are all standing beneath the arch. They are all topped by two 5-meter-high allegorical statues representing Peace and Freedom. The architect had a specific theme to follow: Canada’s response to war. I’ll let you decide what to think about this. In any case, more than 100,000 people were present for the inauguration ceremony of this memorial. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added in 2000. Regardless, this impressive monument makes Confederation Square one of the most beautiful and historically significant places in Ottawa. In fact, it used to be called Connaught Square but was renamed after the monument’s installation. It became a National Historic Site in 1984.