Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a 555-foot marble obelisk on the National Mall honoring George Washington; construction began in 1848, was completed in 1884, and the memorial was dedicated in 1885. It was the tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion and remains a primary visual landmark in downtown Washington. The monument is administered by the National Park Service and its interior observation deck is accessible to visitors by timed-entry tickets and elevator.