Like many things, there are front and back sides to consider. When discussing Washington, D.C., the debate over the front and back sides often arises for the White House, and similarly, the United States Capitol is also subject to the question of “which is the front?”
Let’s explore the entrances of the United States Capitol and their uses.
By the way, if you’re interested in an article about the entrances of the White House, you can find it here.
One must-visit location in Washington, D.C. is the White House. The ...
The United States Capitol has five entrances on the east side and one on the west side
To start, just as the White House has multiple front entrances, the United States Capitol also has many front entrances. Guidebooks often feature photos of the West Front, which showcases a large reflecting pool, leading people to assume that it is the front entrance. However, the East Front actually has a greater number of front entrances.
Officially, the United States Capitol designates the West Front as the “West Front” and the East Front as the “East Front.” The West Front has two entrances located beneath the central dome, while the East Front has one central entrance and two additional entrances on the north and south sides. These entrances are used according to specific purposes.
The Most Prestigious Entrance: Central Entrance on the East Front
This entrance, directly connected to the cast-iron dome, is only used when the President enters or exits the Capitol for official business. Consequently, this entrance is often referred to as the “door that never opens.”
Given the door’s unyielding nature, it is commonly accepted that the East Front is the true front of the United States Capitol. Additionally, we will refer to the East Front as the front due to the following reasons:
- The East Front’s entrance features an impressive façade inspired by ancient Greek temples.
- The Capitol adopts the British-style floor numbering system, where three out of the five front entrances directly connect to the first floor accessible via staircases.
- The central entrance, known as the “door that never opens,” is directly linked to the Rotunda, the most prestigious space beneath the central dome.
West Front: Location of the Presidential Inauguration
The West Front, facing the National Mall, is where the presidential inauguration takes place every four years on January 20th. A semi-circular structure stands in the center of the West Front, serving as a stage during the inauguration. The President and other government officials enter and exit through entrances facing the West Front.
Although this entrance appears to be at a considerable height when viewed from the National Mall, it is actually located underground when considering the Capitol’s floor numbering system. The area where the United States Capitol stands is known as Capitol Hill, an area atop a small hill. As you move towards the west, the ground level gradually decreases.
Thus, despite being underground, the section facing the West Front is positioned significantly higher from the ground, resulting in the perspective of looking up at the entrance from the west.
Classical and Majestic East Front
While the West Front carries a vibrant and glamorous image, especially during the presidential inauguration, the East Front exudes a sense of tradition and formality.
The East Front features façades inspired by ancient Greek architecture on both sides of the central dome, with a linear structure. Additionally, the East Front includes a vast plaza, serving as a parking area for official events such as the inauguration and a helipad for outgoing presidents heading to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
The Presidential Procession and Entrances on Inauguration Day
During the presidential inauguration, the incumbent President, the incoming President, and their respective entourages adhere to the Capitol’s traditions by entering and exiting from designated entrances.
Traditionally, the presidential inauguration takes place at noon on January 20th, coinciding with the moment the President-elect is officially sworn into office.
Hence, during their journey to the Capitol, the incoming President does not use the central entrance on the East Front, as the incumbent President enters and exits through that entrance.
The incoming President and their entourage, who have not yet taken office at this point, enter the Capitol through an entrance facing the basement below the staircase on the Senate side, rather than directly through the Rotunda connected to the central dome.
After passing through the basement, they reach the Crypt, a space located directly below the central dome, which features 44 Doric columns arranged in a neat circular pattern—an awe-inspiring sight.
From there, they turn towards the West Front and descend the staircase to reach the temporary stage erected on the West Front.
After the inauguration ceremony, both the outgoing and incoming Presidents re-enter the Capitol. By this time, the President has officially changed, and they remain together until they exit the Capitol.
Once inside the Capitol, they ascend the stairs two floors to the Rotunda beneath the central dome. From there, they proceed to the National Statuary Hall, located on the House side, to attend a luncheon.
Following the luncheon, both the outgoing and incoming Presidents pass through the Rotunda and exit through the central door that leads to the East Front.
The outgoing President departs via Marine One, a helicopter stationed at the East Front, heading to Andrews Air Force Base. Meanwhile, the incoming President exits through the same location, accompanied by the tune of John Philip Sousa’s “National Emblem March,” and boards the designated limousine to participate in the inaugural parade.
East Front Accessible to the Public
Despite its emphasis on tradition and formality, the East Front of the Capitol is open to the general public without prior reservation. Visitors can enter without any restrictions. Additionally, the East Front features a Visitor Center located underground, where you can obtain tickets for guided tours inside the Capitol and explore exhibits related to the Capitol and Washington, D.C.
Unlike the heavily fortified White House, which is protected by multiple layers of fences, the United States Capitol lacks such fencing and is widely accessible to the general public.
Different Entrances for Different Purposes at the Capitol
The United States Capitol has several front entrances that are used based on their intended purposes. They face both the east and west sides and are referred to as the East Front and West Front, respectively.
Among them, the central entrance on the East Front holds the highest prestige. It is exclusively used when the President enters or exits the Capitol, earning it the nickname of the “door that never opens” due to its limited use. This entrance is shrouded in a solemn aura.
While the central entrance on the East Front can be viewed from a distance, you can also see it up close by joining a free internal tour of the Capitol as the tour concludes.
During your Capitol tour, be sure to check it out!
