The Washington Monument is one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C., and serves as a tribute to George Washington, the first President of the United States. Standing at 555 feet (169 meters), it was the tallest structure in the world when it was completed in 1884, and it remains the tallest stone structure and obelisk in the world today.
The monument is located on the National Mall, between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. It is constructed from marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss, and it has a simple, towering obelisk design, inspired by ancient Egyptian architecture. The monument’s construction was done in two phases—beginning in 1848 and paused in 1854 due to political and financial issues, then resumed in 1877, after the Civil War.
The difference in the stone color about one-third of the way up the monument is noticeable, marking where the initial phase ended and the second phase began. This gives the monument a distinctive two-tone appearance.
Inside the Washington Monument, there is a series of commemorative stones from states, cities, and foreign countries, which were donated during its construction. An elevator now takes visitors to an observation deck at the top, providing sweeping views of the National Mall and beyond.
The monument underwent renovations over the years, including after it was damaged by a 2011 earthquake. It reopened in 2019 after additional repairs and updates, including a modernized elevator system.