National War Memorial, Ottawa

National War Memorial, Ottawa

The National War Memorial in Ottawa stands tall as a granite memorial arch adorned with bronze sculptures. Initially dedicated by King George VI in 1939, its purpose was to honor the Canadians who lost their lives in the First World War. However, over time, it came to represent all those who have perished in past and future conflicts. In 2000, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was added to the front of the memorial, serving as a symbol of the sacrifices made by Canadians who have died or may still die in service to their country.

The National War Memorial holds a significant place in Confederation Square, the focal point of Canada's capital city. Situated between various important structures and attractions, it is bordered by Parliament Hill to the northwest, the Rideau Canal to the northeast, and the National Arts Centre to the east. Numerous buildings can be found west of the square, including the Bell Block, the Central Chambers building, the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council, and the Scottish Ontario Chambers building.

Whenever a member of the monarchy or the Royal Family visits Ottawa, regardless of the date, they participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument. Foreign dignitaries visiting the city also sometimes pay their respects by laying wreaths at the memorial. Notable figures who have done so in the past include US President John F. Kennedy in 1961, Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990, US Secretary of State John Kerry, and French President François Hollande in 2014.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ottawa. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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National War Memorial on Map

Sight Name: National War Memorial
Sight Location: Ottawa, Canada (See walking tours in Ottawa)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Ottawa, Canada

Create Your Own Walk in Ottawa

Create Your Own Walk in Ottawa

Creating your own self-guided walk in Ottawa is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Statues and Sculptures Walk

Statues and Sculptures Walk

As a cultural city, Ottawa abounds in monuments and statues of various sorts. In fact, there are so many of them that the locals, accustomed to their presence, jokingly claim they hardly notice them at all. Still, these artistic creations serve as visual storytellers, sharing tales of courage, peacekeeping, and commemoration.

The Maman Statue, a prominent sculpture located outside the National...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Ottawa Introduction Walking Tour

Ottawa Introduction Walking Tour

The name Ottawa comes from the Algonquin word for trade. It is an appropriate name for the Ottawa River, which was once the primary trade route for Eastern Canada. The capital of Canada gets its name from this river due to its location. Resting on the banks of the Ottawa River, Ottawa is a political and cultural city that also offers outdoor activities and beautiful natural sights.

Ottawa was...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

The architecture of Ottawa – formalistic and functional, for the most part – is marked by the city's role as the national capital of Canada. As such, it represents a mix of styles, varying considerably based on the era of construction of any particular object, and reflects the nation's heritage and political significance.

Centermost among these structures is the Parliament...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Ottawa's Historical Churches Walking Tour

Ottawa's Historical Churches Walking Tour

The city of Ottawa has a number of notable religious sites fit to spark interest in both ardent believers and those keen on ecclesiastical architecture. With most of the churches located in the downtown area or nearby, one can visit these locations without trouble.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica, a splendid Gothic Revival masterpiece, is a centerpiece of Ottawa's spiritual landscape....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles