Ottawa: Glorious Day on Foot

Ottawa: Canadian Museum of Civilization, Douglas Cardinal, Architect

Directly across the Ottawa River in Gatineau (renamed from Hull) in Quebec, this complex is architecturally handsome both inside and out. The history of Canada and changing exhibits makes every visit interesting no matter how often one visits. Highly recommended in any season. Amazing how little we were taught about Canada, our closest neighbor to the north.

Canadian Museum of Civilization, Douglas Cardinal, Architect

The Grand Hall contains recreations of six northwest coastal tribal villages. It took my breath away the first time I saw it. Once you enter the museum, you step to a balcony two tall stories above the floor of the Grand Hall and witness this space that feels sacred.

Canadian Museum of Civilization, Douglas Cardinal, Architect

The Canadian Museum of Civilization is in Gatineau, just across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This huge painted shield is four stories up, at the top of the round gallery at the far end of the Grand Hall.

Enlarge it to good effect.