August 1-4, 2024 Ottawa

We had an amazing time in Ottawa. We liked our trip to Montreal and the old city, but Ottawa has been a completely different experience. One we have really enjoyed. Traversing the Flight of 8 locks Thursday left us pretty exhausted so we cooled off and recouped for a couple hours before undertaking a walkabout and figuring out our activities for Friday and Saturday. Just happened that we arrived at the start of the 28th Annual Busker Fest. More on that later.

Welcome to Ottawa

Ottawa is the current capital of Canada. It's moved locations for years - Montreal, Quebec, Kingston. After the canal was built in 1832 for military purposes to provide an alternate route between Kingston and Montreal without using the St. Lawrence River which those pesky Americans could control - Ottawa was selected by Queen Victoria to be the capital. Some say she did it strategically - others swear she just tossed a dart at a map.

Statue of Lt. John By who designed and built the canal.
The settlement here was originally called Bytown in his honor.

This led to the building of "Parliament Hill" - their government center. Parliament, Senate, House of Commons, Prime Minister's office, Courts, etc. Beautiful buildings in a Gothic style on the point next to the canal and overlooking the Ottawa River. While the main Parliament building is currently closed to tours due to renovations which are expected to last at least another decade, free tours were still available for the East and West block buildings. Just need to sign up for tickets if available. We got tickets for early Friday AM for the west block where the House of Commons is currently residing. Pretty unique, they enclosed a huge courtyard area in the center of that building, moved all their furnishings in and hold proceedings there for now.

View from Parliament Hill across the Ottawa River

Parliament Building with the Peace Tower in the center

Rear of Parliament building showing the cone shaped Parliament Library
- the only remaining original structure after the fire of 1916

Awesome fireworks display Saturday night on the river behind Parliament

While waiting for our East block tour we got to see the "changing of the guards". With Parliament closed there is no real changing here currently, but they do a ceremonial marching of the bagpipe and drum players onto the square in front of the Peace Tower. The original Parliament building was started in 1859 but was lost to a huge fire in 1916. Only the Library in the rear of the building was saved. When reconstructed in 1922, the Peace Tower was added to honor WW1 lost soldiers. There is also a nearby War Memorial honoring all Canadian lives lost in war. Includes a tomb of the unknown soldier where we saw another changing of the guard.

Changing of the guard with the West building in the background

And the East Building

Changing of the guard at the War Memorial and Tomb of Unknown Soldier

After all that history it was time for some fun so off we went to Busker Fest. I had never heard the term "busker" before but it's the name for street performers who work solely for tips. Sharps Street is a closed off venue a block off Parliament Hill. They have an area in the center of each of 4 blocks where shows are performed throughout the day and evening. Runs Thursday thru Monday, so we've been able to see most all the acts. Performers are selected from a global pool of entries, so they come from as far away as Australia and England. Diverse entertainment - mime, acrobatics, juggling, fire eaters, etc. all family friendly and interactive.

This couple put on a fun show - good comedy, fire juggling and interactive

Living statue

Acrobatics team - had to assemble and disassemble that contraption 5 times a day

Saturday night performances finished with a fire show

Since we didn't go through Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal we thought we'd check out the one here. Cathedral was originally completed in 1846. Outside contains both Neo-Classical lower parts and Neo-Gothic higher parts as the construction design was changed with the arrival of a new priest from France. He was the one who had the two large spires added. They are covered in the silver tin typical of most French-Canadian churches. The church had a major restoration back in 1999. Very ornate interior, tons of beautiful stained glass, and a huge organ (even got to hear part of a recital). More statuary than I have ever seen in a church - could not even begin to say who they all were.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Ottawa

Standard silver steeple as is customary in French Canada

The main alter area was huge

Main alter area lined with statues. One for every apostle and saint??

Side alters were just as ornate - this was the right side

This was the left side alter

Choir loft, organ and stained glass

Spent Sunday getting some true culture with a trip to the National Art Museum. Impressive building with a good collection. Everything from old world European masters, to impressionists, to contemporary. Well done section of paintings from Canadian artists over the years largely documenting the landscape. Another theme is incorporating the art and history of their indigenous peoples.

Martha screams to be rescued from the giant spider in front of the National Art Museum

We have got to say again that the Canadians make the very most of their short summer. Everyone is outside, walking, running, biking, boating. Flowers planted everywhere bring lots of color to the city.