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National Gallery of Canada

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National Gallery of Canada
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Glass towers, a garden court and collections of Indigenous, Canadian and international art make the national gallery both a building and a long visual history.

Guide's tip. Meet Maman, the giant spider outside, then let the Great Hall frame the river and Parliament before choosing one gallery. Spend time with one work and its label instead of trying to count the whole collection. Photography rules vary by object. Universal Gallery can extend documented evidence. Walk 0.14 miles to the Cathedral side entrance.

On a walking tour. Stop 6 of 10 on the walking tour Ottawa, river, Parliament and national museums, every stop on a map in walking order.

Open till 17:00 · about 120 min for a visit

The story

The National Gallery of Canada pairs collections of Indigenous, Canadian and international art with a glass and granite building designed by Moshe Safdie. Outside, Louise Bourgeois’s giant spider Maman changes scale and mood before visitors enter. Inside, the Great Hall frames Parliament and the Ottawa River as part of the visual experience.\n\nThe reconstructed Rideau Street Chapel, garden court and changing exhibitions make the building more than a neutral container. Different galleries tell different histories, so no quick loop can represent the whole collection.\n\nChoose one room and spend sustained time with one work before reading its label. Personal photography is allowed in many areas, but objects marked otherwise must be respected. Universal Gallery can extend a documented artist, title or catalogue record. Check current hours and timed exhibitions before arrival.

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