Some of the most iconic historic sites in the United States were built not just to function, but to inspire. From the US Capitol to the Boston Public Library, these structures reflect a nation forging its identity through monumental design. Many of them, especially those built between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, were modeled on the principles of ancient Rome. Think domes like the Pantheon, arches like the Baths of Diocletian, and colonnades worthy of a Roman forum. This list explores ten must-see American landmarks where Roman architectural influence is proudly on display.
1. United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., stands as a monumental symbol of American democracy and architectural grandeur. Its design, deeply rooted in neoclassical architecture, draws inspiration from ancient Roman and Greek structures, embodying the ideals of the nation’s founders.
Construction of the Capitol began in 1793, with President George Washington laying the cornerstone. The original design by William Thornton was influenced by the Roman Pantheon, featuring a central dome and columned porticos. Over the years, architects like Benjamin Henry Latrobe and Charles Bulfinch contributed to its evolution, incorporating elements such as the iconic cast-iron dome completed during the Civil War.
Visitors to the Capitol can explore the Rotunda, adorned with historical paintings and the “Apotheosis of Washington” fresco. The National Statuary Hall showcases statues from all 50 states, while guided tours offer insights into the legislative process and the building’s rich history.
2. Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Nestled along Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin, the Jefferson Memorial stands as a tribute to Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. Conceived during the 1930s under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration, the memorial was designed by architect John Russell Pope, who drew inspiration from the Roman Pantheon and Jefferson’s own design of the University of Virginia’s Rotunda.
Construction began in 1939 and concluded in 1943, though the 19-foot bronze statue of Jefferson, crafted by sculptor Rudulph Evans, was installed in 1947 due to wartime material shortages. The memorial’s neoclassical design features a circular colonnade of Ionic columns and a domed ceiling, embodying Jefferson’s admiration for classical architecture.
When visiting, you can explore the open-air rotunda, where Jefferson’s statue stands gazing toward the White House. The interior walls are inscribed with excerpts from Jefferson’s writings, including passages from the Declaration of Independence and his letters, reflecting his philosophies on liberty, governance, and human rights.
Surrounded by cherry blossom trees, the memorial offers picturesque views, especially during the National Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. Its serene setting and historical significance make it a must-visit landmark for those interested in American history and architecture.
3. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Standing at the western end of Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial is more than a tribute to the 16th President of the United States; it is a symbol of unity, democracy, and enduring national ideals.
Designed by architect Henry Bacon, the memorial was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, reflecting Lincoln’s commitment to democratic principles. The structure features 36 Doric columns, each representing a state in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death in 1865. Inside, a 19-foot marble statue of Lincoln, crafted by sculptor Daniel Chester French, sits solemnly, embodying the weight of his presidency. The walls bear inscriptions of two of Lincoln’s most famous speeches: the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address, emphasizing themes of unity and equality.
Since its dedication in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial has been the site of numerous significant events, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, cementing its place in the nation’s civil rights history.
4. Boston Public Library, Boston, MA
In the heart of Copley Square, the Boston Public Library (BPL) stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to knowledge and culture. Established in 1848, it was the first large free municipal library in the United States. The McKim Building, opened in 1895, was designed by architect Charles Follen McKim, drawing inspiration from Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts styles. Its design reflects influences from the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève in Paris and the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini, Italy.
When you’re there, you will be greeted by inscriptions reminiscent of ancient Roman monuments, including the phrase “Free to All” above the main entrance. Inside, the library houses over 1.7 million rare books and manuscripts, including early editions of Shakespeare and the personal library of John Adams.
The interior boasts magnificent murals by artists such as John Singer Sargent and Edwin Austin Abbey. Bates Hall, the grand reading room, features a coffered ceiling and arched windows, creating a serene atmosphere for study and reflection.
5. New York Public Library, New York, NY
Opened in 1911, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece was designed by the architectural firm Carrère and Hastings, selected through a competitive process among prominent architects of the time.
The library’s exterior is renowned for its grand marble façade and the iconic stone lions, Patience and Fortitude, which have become enduring symbols of New York’s resilience. Inside, visitors are greeted by Astor Hall’s vaulted ceilings and the majestic Rose Main Reading Room, stretching nearly the length of a football field and adorned with ornate chandeliers and a painted sky ceiling.
Beyond its architectural splendor, the library houses an extensive collection of approximately 15 million items, including rare manuscripts, historical maps, and literary treasures. It serves as a vital resource for researchers and a sanctuary for readers and tourists alike.
6. Union Station, Washington, D.C.
Designed by architect Daniel Burnham and opened in 1907, Union Station embodies the Beaux-Arts style, drawing direct inspiration from ancient Roman structures. The station’s grand façade echoes the Arch of Constantine, featuring massive arches and a series of statues representing the “Progress of Railroading,” including figures like Prometheus and Apollo. Inside, the Main Hall’s soaring 96-foot ceilings and coffered barrel vaults are reminiscent of the Baths of Diocletian, adorned with 23-karat gold leaf that glistens under natural light.
Adding to its Romanesque allure, the station houses 46 statues of Roman legionnaires, symbolizing guardianship and strength, perched above the Main Hall’s entrances. These elements collectively create an atmosphere that transports visitors to a bygone era of imperial magnificence.
7. San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, CA
Completed in 1915, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece rose from the ashes of the 1906 earthquake, embodying the City Beautiful movement’s ideals of grandeur and order.
Architect Arthur Brown Jr., trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, infused the design with classical Roman and French influences. The building’s most striking feature is its dome, inspired by Paris’s Dôme des Invalides, which soars 93.7 meters, making it taller than the U.S. Capitol’s dome. Inside, the rotunda’s coffered ceilings, marble floors, and grand staircase exude elegance and symmetry.
City Hall has been the backdrop for significant historical events. President Warren G. Harding lay in state here in 1923, and in 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married in its chambers. The building also witnessed the tragic assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978.
8. Pennsylvania Station (original), New York, NY
In the heart of Manhattan once stood a monument to ambition and artistry: the original Pennsylvania Station. Completed in 1910 by the esteemed firm McKim, Mead & White, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece drew direct inspiration from ancient Roman architecture, notably the Baths of Caracalla, evident in its soaring coffered ceilings and vast, light-filled spaces.
Spanning two city blocks, the station’s grand façade featured a colonnade of Doric columns, while inside, travelers were greeted by a cavernous waiting room that rivaled Europe’s greatest cathedrals. The design aimed to elevate the mundane act of travel into a majestic experience, allowing passengers to “enter the city like a god.”
However, by the 1950s, declining rail travel and rising real estate values led to the station’s demise. In 1963, the above-ground structure was demolished to make way for Madison Square Garden and office towers, a move that sparked public outrage and galvanized the historic preservation movement in the United States.
Today, while the original grandeur is lost, the legacy of Penn Station endures. The Moynihan Train Hall, opened in 2021, seeks to recapture some of the former station’s splendor, serving as a poignant reminder of what was sacrificed and the enduring importance of preserving architectural heritage.
9. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Established in 1870, the Met’s original acquisition was a Roman sarcophagus from Tarsus, signaling its foundational commitment to classical antiquity.
The museum’s façade, designed in the Beaux-Arts style, echoes the grandeur of Roman temples, featuring Corinthian columns and a stately portico that invite visitors into a world where ancient and modern converge. Inside, the Leon Levy and Shelby White Court serves as a modern homage to Roman peristyles, with its skylit atrium and surrounding colonnades creating a space reminiscent of ancient Roman villas.
The Met’s Greek and Roman Art collection, comprising over 30,000 works, offers a comprehensive journey through classical antiquity. Highlights include frescoes from Boscoreale, which provide insight into Roman domestic life, and the Monteleone chariot, an exquisite example of Etruscan craftsmanship.
The Met also serves as a dynamic educational institution, continually expanding its digital resources and engaging in archaeological research to deepen public understanding of ancient cultures.
10. California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA
The California State Capitol in Sacramento is a striking embodiment of Neoclassical architecture, drawing inspiration from ancient Roman and Greek design principles. Constructed between 1860 and 1874, the building features a prominent dome rising approximately 220 feet, reminiscent of Roman temples and symbolizing the state’s aspirations and governance.
The Capitol’s façade is adorned with Corinthian columns and a pediment depicting Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, surrounded by figures representing Education, Justice, Industry, and Mining. This iconography reflects California’s values and its rapid ascent to statehood without first being a territory, paralleling Minerva’s mythical birth fully grown.
Inside, the rotunda showcases a coffered dome with intricate Victorian detailing, including cast-iron grizzly bears and decorative murals. The building’s layout, with the Senate and Assembly chambers in opposing wings, embodies the bicameral legislative system, emphasizing balance and unity.
Visitors can explore the Capitol’s rich history through guided tours, witnessing firsthand the blend of classical architecture and California’s unique heritage.
