Parade at Parliament & Peace Tower Overlook (April 11)

Tamil Tiger's parade at Parliament

on the top of Peace Tower - the outlook deck, its roof looks like many gold bars

What a shining roof!

Peace Tower Visiting (January 2) - Memorial Chamber

Memorial Chamber is on the third floor of the Peace Tower. It is a room of gentle light built to honour Canadians who died in the armed conflicts in which Canada has fought since Confederation. While the tower was constructed by a nation grateful for peace, the Memorial Chamber testifies that the struggle for peace comes at the cost of human life.


It was originally designed out of a response to the profound devastation wrought by the First World War. This monumental event created a need for a national memorial - a place of reflection and solace to remember the sacrifice of the many Canadians that fell in Europe between 1914 and 1918. Since, this memorial has grown to include the names of all Canadians who have died in military service in past and present conflicts.


When visitors pass through the door of the Chamber, the first thing they see is the Altar of Remembrance, resting on steps of stone. Because the Chamber's designers assumed that the memorial would commemorate an event unique in Canada's history, the First World War, they made the Altar the centerpiece and focal point of the room. Embedded in the floor around the Altar are brass nameplates identifying the major actions in which Canadians fought in the First World War.

the door of Memorial Chamber

the Altar of Remembrance

statuette of kneeling angel who is watching over the first Book of Remembrance
There are four of them beside each corner of glass-topped case.

the first Book of Remembrance

In it are inscribed the names of the 66,655 individuals who lost their lives in the First World War.

This book was completed in 1942.

The second Book of Remembrance listing 44,893 names was placed in the Chamber in 1957.

the Newfoundland Book of Remembrance

It honours the 2,363 Newfoundlanders who perished in the First and Second World Wars.

They are listed separately from the main books because Newfoundland did not join Confederation until 1949 - four years following the end of the Second World War.

Peace Tower Visiting (January 2) - Hall

Parliament buildings' interior is richly carved, which impressed me very much. Those sculptures are so amazing! Here are some pics. Enjoy ^^

I made this photoStitch so that you can get an entire view of the hall

Peace Tower Visiting (January 2) - Observation Deck

After several days of cloud and snow, the sky finally turned out to be crystal clear on Wednesday. What a gorgeous day! Well, except the temperature, it was about -20 degree Celcius in the daytime.

I like that sky so much so that I cannot refuse the call of the nature. One of my housemate and I then went visit the Peace Tower at noon. Peace Tower is located at the heart of Parliament Hill, which is a distinctive monument in memory of the service and sacrifice of the men and women who died for serving their country. When you stand in front of the set of Parliament buildings, you can literally feel the greatness and majesty of them.

After the entry of peace tower, we got serious security check. Although this is not very convenient for visitors, I think it is a must for the important place being considered as a national treasure and symbol. This tower is 92.2-metre high with 9 levels, containing an Observation Area and the Carillon, a series of 53 bells weighing from 4.5kg to 10,090kg and a Memorial Chamber on the third floor. We visited both places. Everyday at 12:00pm, the Dominion Carillonneur entertain visitors to Parliament Hill with recitals. I enjoy the rhythm and tune of the recitals so much that I would like to listen to it every hour. On the Observation deck, we sticked around there for quite a while, busy taking pictures for recording everything beautiful. I guess the security guard might also think so, because after he saw us time after time again, finally said, "woa, you guys are still here." Haha, Yes, we are. Since we have nothing urgent to do, why should we rush.

in the Peace Tower

Original Peace Tower clock movement

The clock

overlook from observation deck

US Embassy

Chateau Laurier Hotel

West Block

Library of Parliament & Alexandra Bridge

Ottawa River

Langevin Block & Capital Infocentre