The Kansas State Capitol is a handsome Neoclassical building completed in 1903, but the real draw is inside: John Steuart Curry's murals depicting the violent "Bleeding Kansas" era of the 1850s, when pro- and anti-slavery factions fought bitterly over the state's future. They're unlike anything you'd expect in a government building — confrontational, messy, and genuinely good art. John Brown stands at the centre of the main composition with arms outstretched, a rifle in one hand and a bible in the other, a tornado raging behind him.
Free guided tours are available on weekdays and explore both the murals and the building's architecture. The dome climb — up narrow staircases to the observation deck beneath the lantern — gives a panoramic view of Topeka and the flat Kansas plains extending in every direction. On clear days the horizon is remarkably far. The building is flanked by the Memorial Building to the south and is open to the public during state government hours.