Library of Congress (self-guided after Capitol):
After being escorted to the tunnel, guests use timed-entry passes to walk straight into the Jefferson Building, widely considered the most beautiful building in Washington. Highlights include:
– The Gutenberg Bible – 1 of only 3 perfect vellum copies in existence.
– The Great Hall – a soaring Italian Renaissance-style atrium with marble columns, mosaics, gold leaf, and murals by leading artists.
– The Main Reading Room – viewed from upper observation deck, this is the iconic circular reading room seen in countless films.
– Putti and carvings – cherubic figures representing arts and sciences line the balustrades
– Architectural firsts – the Jefferson Building was the first public building in DC designed for electric lighting and one of the first to use a comprehensive climate-control system.