At the heart of Saint Paul, Minnesota lies a structure that bears a striking resemblance to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This building, the Minnesota State Capitol, is in fact modeled after that iconic Roman church. The Capitol was designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert.

The Capitol’s highlights are its Italian Renaissance structure and marble dome. The building was finished in 1905; this is Minnesota’s third capitol after the first one burned and the second was not used. Currently, the Capitol houses the Office of the Governor, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate, and Office of the Attorney General. It also houses a chamber of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The Capitol is open for public guided tours. Visitors can behold the magnificent design of the structure, as well as design elements like statues, Civil War Paintings, memorials, sculptures and gardens. The tours also include history and art lectures.