Trip 295 - August 31, 2023 (Thursday)

British Columbia Parliament Buildings Visit

Victoria, BC

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Location: Downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Liked: Buildings exterior (architectural design), 2^nd floor highly ornamented rotunda, legislative chamber, ornamented windows and doors, photos of politicians past and present, free admission. The main grounds in front of the complex (across from the Victoria harbour) is very fine too.

Of Note: The place is very popular. Parking at the nearby lots could be difficult in busy season. Only public tours (no self-guided tours) on weekends. Appropriate attire is required (no political messages allowed either).

Vancouver Island, Victoria & Gulf Islands Backroad Mapbook (9th edition) Coordinates: Page 5 (Victoria) B4.

Related Website: BC Parliament Buildings Public Tours.

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BC Parliament Buildings is a set of buildings where the business of governing the province of British Columbia takes place. The people we elect to represent us, called MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly), come to Victoria and spend much time in this place making decisions affecting our lives in ways big and small. Be careful who you send down there!

The public is welcome to observe the MLAs in the legislative chamber from a balcony when the BC Parliament is in session. There are also daily self-guided and tour guide tours available inside the main building, which has a substantial visual appeal and numerous historical photos. Stained glass windows and ornamented interior doors are quite interesting to see. The second floor rotunda is a masterpiece. The legislative chamber also looks very fine, definitely worthy of our splendid province! As well, a walk around the entire Parliament Buildings complex is a worthwhile endeavour due to the very fine architectural design and numerous statues on top and the sides of the exterior of the buildings.

If you are driving, there are several pay parking lots nearby, and they get busy during busy season. Also, if your clothing or whatever you carry features anything resembling a political message, you would be turned around at the security checkpoint.

30. The second floor of the main building of the BC Parliamentary Buildings complex contains the Legislative Chamber, as well as a very impressive rotunda. Here is a hall in front of the Chamber.

Inside BC Parliament Buldings

31. And here is British Columbia's Legislative Chamber itself. This is where all BC laws get passed by the MLAs.

British Columbia Legislative Chamber

32. This is what it looks like when the Parliament is in session (a photo inside the building).

Photo of BC Legislative Chamber

33. A speaker's chair.

BC Legislative Chamber Speaker's Chair

34. Our province is beautiful, and so is the Chamber, and so is the ceiling of the Chamber.

British Columbia Legislative Chamber Ceiling

35. Historical facts.

British Columbia Information Sign

36. The rotunda across the hall from the Chamber is a piece of art.

British Columbia Legislative Assembly Rotunda

37. Splendour.

British Columbia Legislative Assembly

38. Without Diminishment.

Ceiling of British Columbia Legislative Assembly

39. Neat.

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

40-41. More of the second floor rotunda.

British Columbia Legislative Assembly Second Floor Rotunda

Rotunda of British Columbia Legislative Assembly

Here is Our Video of the second floor rotunda:

More ihikebc videos are on our YouTube Channel.

41. Let's go back to the photos of BC Premiers on the walls. There have been quite a few of them, but those of us from Vancouver or who know Vancouver rather well, would certainly recognize many of these names. Starting with T.D. Patullo (BC Premier 1933-1941) - hello, Patullo Bridge!

BC Premier T.D. Patullo

42. S.F. Tolmie (1928-1933) - Tolmie Street.

British Columbia Premier S.F.Tolmie

43. John Robson (1989-1992) - Robson Street.

BC Premier John Robson

44. William Smithe (1883-1887) - Smithe Street.

BC Premier William Smithe

45. Frederick Seymour (1864-1869) - Seymour Street.

BC Premier Frederick Seymour

46. And the award for the coolest BC Premier name ever goes to...Amor De Cosmos (1872-1874), which literally means "Love of Cosmos" in Portuguese and Spanish. While Amor De Cosmos was the official name of this premier, he was born William Smith, but his love for the universe was so strong that he changed his name to Amor De Cosmos. This Wiki page has all the details.

BC Premier Amor De Cosmos (William Smith)

47. We then went outside to check out the fantastic exterior of BC Parliamentary Buildings complex.

Exterior of BC Parliamentary Buildings complex

48. There are quite a few statues hanging out inside the exterior walls and on top of the roofs.

Statue in the wall of BC Parliamentary Buildings comples

49-50. Here is one more.

BC Parliamentary Buildings complex statue

51-52. There was actually some sort of an outdoor performance taking place.

Theatrical performance outside of BC Parliamentary Buildings complex

53. Outside of BC Legislature, there are several memorials for fallen public servants. This one is for firefighters.

Firefighter memorial - BC Legislature lawn

54-56. And one more statue to wrap things up.

BC Parliamentary Buildings complex statue

BC Parliamentary Buildings complex is beautiful inside and out. May this Splendor Sine Occasu inspire our politicians to do a great job for the benefit of us all. Highly recommended.