Capitol Rotunda

Overview

The Rotunda showcases the interior dome which rises 218 feet from the floor. A huge sheet metal star, measuring 8 feet from point to point, surrounded by lettering that spells out “TEXAS” anchors the top. The Rotunda originally had encaustic tile surrounding a hexagonal glass-block floor in the center. The current terrazzo floor features the six seals of the sovereign nations that have governed Texas: the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of France, the United Mexican States, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America and the United States of America. Portraits of past presidents of the republic and governors of the state line the walls with the most recent on the first floor and the oldest on the fourth floor.