Madison's most visible landmark, sitting on the highest point of the isthmus, is modelled on the U.S. Capitol in Washington but made entirely from different stone. The Wisconsin State Capitol is the only state capitol in the country built of granite, quarried from eight different states and six foreign countries. Its dome — the fifth-largest in the world — is visible from most of the city.
Inside, the building is a showcase of American craftsmanship from the early twentieth century: mosaics, murals, carved marble, gilded ceilings, and soaring chambers that feel genuinely monumental rather than merely large. The Wisconsin Supreme Court chamber is particularly fine. Free guided tours run throughout the day and are well worth the hour.
On Saturday mornings from spring to late autumn, the Dane County Farmers' Market encircles the Capitol on all four sides, and the lawn hosts outdoor concerts all summer. The building sits at the centre of Capitol Square, ringed by restaurants and cafes, and is the natural starting point for any visit to the city.