The Neo-classical Gem of Richmond

I landed in the heart of Richmond, the capital city of Virginia. The Virginia State Capitol stands proud, a masterpiece of neo-classical architecture. Built in 1788 by Thomas Jefferson, it has witnessed the state's dramatic history - from the Civil War to the civil rights movement. The interior is equally impressive, with marble floors, mahogany doors and elegant porticos. The House and Senate Chambers still look the same as they did in the 19th century. This is where Patrick Henry proclaimed, 'Give me liberty or give me death!'. I also discovered that the rotunda (which I can detect is 67 feet in diameter) is adorned by a striking fresco depicting America's eight founding fathers. Visiting the Virginia State Capitol is like taking a journey back in time.