Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Built 1871-1901, this $24 million limestone, granite and marble structure is the government center to one of America's greatest cities. This building was the tallest in the world from 1894 to 1908 and is currently the largest municipal building in the United States. Its more than 22-feet thick walls surround the 700-rooms, which house the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Philadelphia government. The clock on each face of the tower is 26-feet in diameter - that's larger than Big Ben (23 feet)! It's topped by the world's tallest statue on any building at 37-feet tall, and is 53,000 pounds. It's of the city's founder, William Penn. And that's just one of more than 250 statues that adorn the landmark inside and out. In the center of the building is a large, open courtyard called the Centre Square, which has held countless historic speeches and events. This incredible building became a a National Historic Landmark in 1976. You can take a look inside any week day and ride the 6-person elevator to the observation deck below The tower's statue.
Built 1871-1901, this $24 million limestone, granite and marble structure is the government center to one of America's greatest cities. This building was the tallest in the world from 1894 to 1908 and is currently the largest municipal building in the United States. Its more than 22-feet thick walls surround the 700-rooms, which house the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Philadelphia government. The clock on each face of the tower is 26-feet in diameter - that's larger than Big Ben (23 feet)! It's topped by the world's tallest statue on any building at 37-feet tall, and is 53,000 pounds. It's of the city's founder, William Penn. And that's just one of more than 250 statues that adorn the landmark inside and out. In the center of the building is a large, open courtyard called the Centre Square, which has held countless historic speeches and events. This incredible building became a a National Historic Landmark in 1976. You can take a look inside any week day and ride the 6-person elevator to the observation deck below The tower's statue.
