United States

How to visit Thomas Jefferson Memorial (Washington): curiosities

Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington - Photo: Ron Cogswell
Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington - Photo: Ron Cogswell
Curiosities and interesting facts to visit the Thomas Jefferson Memorial next to the Potomac River in Washington, with history and visiting hours

On the banks of Potomac River, riding a Washington, there is the majestic building built in memory of the president Thomas Jefferson, with an unmistakable style of classical architecture.

El Thomas Jefferson Memorial It is one of the great monuments that you can visit in your tourist trip to Washington.

In preparation for your visit, below we will tell you about various curiosities and interesting facts about the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Facts and curiosities about the Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Located south of the Casa Blanca, Thomas Jefferson Memorial It was initially built in 1943 in honor of the then president, Franklin Roosevelt, on the initiative of president roosevelt.

At that time, in Washington Previous presidents already had their own monument in the capital, such as Washington y Lincoln.

Where is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington

The memorial is located on the south bank of the tidal basin, an artificial reservoir located in the West Potomac Park, near the National Mall, on the opposite side of the White House.

The cherry trees that are around the building, and that beautify the landscape when they are in bloom, were planted in honor of the Japanese people in 1912.

What is the architecture of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial like?

Construction began in 1938 with the design of the architect John Russell Pope.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington - Photo: Sridhar Saraf
Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington – Photo: Sridhar Saraf

It is a circular building that is supported by large columns of classical Ionic style, which is totally inspired by the Pantheon of Rome.

It has a circular colonnade with 26 Ionic columns, rising 13 meters high.

What the Statue of Thomas Jefferson looks like

Inside the circular building of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Washington, in central position, you can see a large bronze statue six meters high.

sculpted by Rudolph Evans, weighing four and a half tons, the sculpture shows the effigy of the president.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington - Photo: Gage Skidmore
Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington – Photo: Gage Skidmore

This statue shows the effigy of the president and stone plaques with quotes from his great works, such as the Declaration of Independence.

Phrases and documents of Thomas Jefferson

The walls of the memorial are adorned with excerpts from the writings of Jefferson, including passages from the Declaration of Independence and other important documents.

The design and location of the memorial were chosen to symbolize the ideals of freedom and democracy of Thomas Jefferson, and reflects his contributions as a statesman, author and human rights defender.

The memorial attracts millions of visitors each year who, in addition to seeing its architecture, can learn about Thomas Jefferson's legacy and also enjoy the surrounding park.

Visiting hours of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial

El Thomas Jefferson Memorial you can visit 24 hours a day, but this monument is not as visited as others in the city ​​of washington since it is somewhat displaced with respect to the great avenue of the National Mall.

About the Author

José Luis Sarralde

Journalist and traveler throughout his life, José Luis Sarralde is the founder of Guías Viajar, where since 2008 he has been capturing his travel experiences around the world, specializing in cultural and scenic destinations in Spain and Europe.

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