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Behind and Above the Dome
 
This is a photo the iron trusses supporting the outer dome, also visible is the spiral staircase to the uppermost observation deck and flagstaff.  Part of the inner dome is seen at the bottom of the photo, far below the outer dome.
Pictured here is the point at which the brick and stone construction end and the metal shell of the dome begins.  Note the thicker brick walls at the base of the trusses, presumably to bear the weight of the heavy iron.
This picture shows the area between the inner and outer domes.  These people are looking to the top of the inner dome.  They are standing on a floor just above the 24 pillars visible in the upper rotunda and on the back side of the elaborately decorated inner dome.

This photo taken from the top of the inner dome looking down, shows the cast iron opposite side of the golden interior. Also shown are the arched rectangular windows, which cannot be seen from the interior proper.  Notice the brick wall of the outer dome

This image shows the stairway leading to the stained glass section of the inner dome.  This stairway begins at a level just above the colonnade level of the building.  This image also shows the great number of bricks used to construct the Statehouse.

This photograph taken from a metal catwalk between the attic and colonnade level shows the major supporting structures used to support the large dome of the Capitol.  To the left is the inner outer wall of the base of the dome.  This catwalk circles the base of the dome and at one time had four windows which today are blocked.

This photo gives you an idea how the top of the stained glass located at the top of the dome appears.  This stained glass was removed entirely during the restoration of the dome during the late 1980s, see below.

This is a photograph of the stained glass enclosure at the top of the inner dome.  Positioned within this enclosure is the stained glass and the lighting which illuminates the glass.  Notice the base of the suspended spiral staircase situated at the top of the enclosure.

An elaborate network of iron supports the outer wall of the outer dome shown here.  The entire outer dome was stripped down to the iron during the 1930s.  This photograph was taken from a staircase leading to the top outer balcony of the Statehouse.

This spiral staircase is suspended directly above the stained glass located at the apex of the inner dome.  Notice the suspending cables shown above.  When looking down from the bottom of the staircase one sees the top of the stained glass enclosure and the exterior of the inner dome sweeping downward.  Prior to recent improvements the climb to the top was quite wobbly.

A view of the Centennial and Archives Buildings from the lantern balcony located atop the Capitol.

This photograph, taken from the balcony located at the top of the dome, shows the beacon and the ladder leading to the flagpole.

A great shot, taken in December of 2001, of East Capitol Avenue from atop the Statehouse.