The Iowa State Capitol is the only five-domed capitol building in the United States

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Rising above Des Moines, the Iowa State Capitol is a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture. Beyond its legislative duties, the building serves as a living museum, housing everything from Civil War battle flags to a scale model of the USS Iowa, all beneath a dome covered in pure 23-carat gold.

Construction of the Iowa State Capitol began in 1871, following a long search for a permanent seat of government. After Iowa achieved statehood, the capital moved from Iowa City to Des Moines, with Wilson Alexander Scott donating the nine and one-half acres where the building now stands. Designed by architects John C. Cochrane and Alfred H. Piquenard, the project faced significant hurdles, including the deterioration of original stone due to waterlogging, which forced the relaying of the cornerstone in 1873. The building was finally completed in 1886 at a total cost of $2,873,294.59.

The structure is a testament to 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring a blend of imported and domestic materials. Its walls incorporate twenty-nine types of marble, while the interior woodwork—including walnut, cherry, and oak—was sourced from Iowa forests. The central dome, which reaches 275 feet above the ground floor, is constructed of iron and brick, finished with thin sheets of 23-carat gold. This golden feature has required periodic maintenance, including a major regilding project completed between 1998 and 1999 at a cost of approximately $482,000.

Today, the Capitol functions as more than just a political hub. It hosts the annual World Food Prize laureate ceremony, an event that draws hundreds of attendees from over 75 countries. The building also preserves history through its collections, such as the porcelain dolls representing Iowa's First Ladies and the battle flags from various conflicts. While it remains a site of official government business, the Capitol has also become a focal point for modern cultural discourse, recently hosting displays that sparked significant public and political debate regarding the boundaries of expression within state-owned spaces.

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