The Capitol's Hidden 365-Step Climb to the Dome

Hidden inside the U.S. Capitol Building is a narrow metal staircase that climbs 365 steps from the basement all the way to the top of the iconic dome. The number isn't just coincidence—it represents each day of the year.

This steep staircase snakes through the Capitol's double dome structure, winding between the inner and outer shells where visitors below can't see it. The climb leads to an outdoor walkway at the dome's peak, offering a view that few people ever experience.

A Claustrophobic Journey

The tight space between the Capitol's two domes creates a cramped vertical passage. Workers who maintain the dome still use these stairs, but the route hasn't been open to public tours in years. Historically, too many visitors struggled with the demanding ascent.

At the very top sits a small room called the Tholus, tucked into the tip of the dome. The climb requires both physical fitness and a lack of claustrophobia—the stairwell is narrow, steep, and enclosed.

Built in the 1850s

The staircase was installed during the Capitol dome's construction in the late 1850s. While popular lore claims the 365-step count was intentional symbolism, the Architect of the Capitol notes that step counts throughout the building were determined by practical and aesthetic needs rather than symbolic meaning.

Whether designed with intention or happy accident, the numerical coincidence has become one of the Capitol's most intriguing architectural quirks. It's a reminder that some of the most fascinating features of iconic buildings remain hidden from public view, known only to maintenance workers and historians who've studied every corner of these structures.

The Capitol dome itself stands as one of America's most recognizable symbols. Knowing that inside its elegant curves sits a grueling 365-step climb adds a layer of human scale to the monumental architecture—a reminder that maintaining democracy's symbols requires real people doing real, physically demanding work.