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The gentle hills and waterways of Canada's capital city create a wealth of remarkable natural viewing platforms where the city's varied landscapes and architectural styles can be admired. To no surprise, the locations with clear sight lines to Parliament Hill — the iconic home of Canada's government — are also the most popular. With an unobstructed view towards this national symbol of democracy, Ottawa's Nepean Point is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring places to digest the city's natural and built beauty.
On top of the sculpted rockscape is a majestic statue of French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who navigated the Ottawa River in 1613, holding his trusty astrolabe. Before being relocated to the nearby Major's Hill Park, the peak was also occupied by a statue depicting a kneeling First Nations scout, representing how Canada's native people assisted Champlain in his discoveries. Developed in preparation for Canada's centennial in 1967, the landmark spot is a popular gathering place to watch Canada Day fireworks.
A formalized viewing space, the Astrolabe Theatre, served as a venue for open-air shows and performances until 1995. Though the amphitheatre still exists to this day, it's badly in need of an upgrade. As the site no longer adheres to universal accessibility standards, the National Capital Commission is planning a complete overhaul of the space, beginning with the launch of a design competition in 2017. It is hoped the winning submission will give the landmark location a unique character, underscoring its status as a signature site.
While the appearance and functionality of the site will change in the coming years, the extraordinary views it offers will not. The Gothic Revival arrangement of buildings on Parliament Hill — composed of a Centre, West, and East Block — form several spires in the skyline. The Centre Block, where the Senate and House of Commons are located, is defined by the 92-metre Peace Tower at the front and the circular Library of Parliament at the rear. Parliament Hill was a military base until its development into a government hub in 1859 following Queen Victoria's selection of Bytown as the capital of the Province of Canada. In 1916, a ravaging fire completely destroyed the Centre Block, with the exception of the Library, which was saved after a clerk secured the structure's iron doors. Much of the West Block has been covered in scaffolding since 2011 as the building undergoes a complex rehabilitation project that is scheduled to finish in 2017. The House of Commons Chamber will be moved to a temporary glass-roof facility adjoining the West Block before renovations of the Centre Block commence.
Just to the west — to the right in the image above — is the Confederation Building. Construction began on the office building in 1927 and completed in 1931, before the Department of Agriculture moved in as its main tenant. Today, the building contains the offices of civil servants and scores of Ministers and Members of Parliament. Further west is the Supreme Court of Canada at 301 Wellington Street. Queen Elizabeth marked the start of construction in 1939 by laying its cornerstone. A Châteauesque roof and Art Deco detailing adorn the structure, which is highly visible from Nepean Point and the Ottawa River.
The view to the southwest shows Chaudière Falls, Chaudière Island, and Victoria Island, once a heavily industrialized area of the city. With the damming of the Ottawa River, the waterfall serves as a key part of Ottawa Hydro's infrastructure. Several office buildings in the background of the image below frame the 108-metre-tall Minto Metropole, the city's second tallest building.
Across the Ottawa River immediately to the west is Gatineau, the fourth largest city in Quebec after Montreal, Quebec City, and Laval. Many tourists in Ottawa make the trek across the provincial border to the Canadian Museum of History, which has roots dating back to 1856, making it one of the oldest cultural institutions in North America. The current facility was opened in 1989 and features a distinctive design by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, whose Aboriginal heritage often expresses itself in his built creations.
The view towards Gatineau is dominated by the Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge, which connects the two provinces and was initially constructed in 1900 for use by Canadian Pacific Railway trains. The bridge's configuration was altered in the 1950s to permit the carrying of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Another connection to the north is provided by the steel box girder Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. Built in 1965, the span takes its name from John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier, joint premiers of the Province of Canada, signifying the union between English and French Canada.
Panning to the southeast affords glimpses of more recognizable Ottawa landmarks peeking out from the thick tree canopy of Major's Hill Park. The Moshe Safdie-designed National Gallery of Canada, with its crystalline glass roof and granite pillars, is one of the most modern structures in the immediate area. The peaked roof of the battleship-like Embassy of the United States, which was designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and built in 1999, is also visible in front of the towers of ByWard Market. Further to the right of the image above, and geographically south of the American Embassy, is the Connaught Building. The Tudor-Gothic structure was completed in 1913 and currently serves as the headquarters of the Canada Revenue Agency. Finally, the turreted copper roof of the Chateau Laurier, one of Canada's most prestigious hotels, creates a striking silhouette on the skyline.
The upcoming design competition could include provisions for a footbridge that would link Nepean Point to Major's Hill Park. A footbridge had previously provided that connection, though it was demolished in 1959. Emphasizing that relationship between two of Ottawa's greatest public spaces would go a long way in knitting the urban fabric of the core together. As one of the city's most beautiful natural assets, doubling as an unrivalled lookout, Nepean Point deserves to be celebrated and cherished.
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