Indianapolis is the capital and largest city of the US state of Indiana. The city’s history began when Indiana became a state in 1816, when the state donated federal land to establish a new government city. The first settlers came to the area in 1819 or 1820, and the city was named Indianapolis in 1821. That same year, the first city plan was designed, and the establishment of the city began. In 1827 the National Road came to town, and 20 years later the first railroad opened to Indianapolis.

After the American Civil War, the city boomed as a railway junction and through meat production, and in 1890 the population reached 100,000. At the beginning of the 20th century, growth and prosperity continued with a large automobile production, and in 1910 the famous Indianapolis 500 motor race was held for the first time. Throughout the century there was great construction activity in the city, which in recent decades has revitalized the downtown area.

Today, Indianapolis is an interesting city to visit, and there are many attractions here. You can start a stroll at the Indiana Statehouse, which is the name of the government building of the state of Indiana. The Statehouse was built 1880-1888 as a replacement for the previous building, which had become too small for the growing state. The building has a large central rotunda under the dome, and the Statehouse is home to the Indiana Senate and the House of Representatives.

From the Indiana Statehouse, you can walk east to Monument Circle, a beautiful and circular urban space where you can see the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, a colossal monument that has become an Indianapolis landmark. The neoclassical monument was built 1888-1901 with a height of almost 87 meters according to the design of German Bruno Schmitz. The building is dedicated to Indiana’s soldiers in various wars, and on top stands a statue of the goddess of victory, Victoria.

North of Monument Circle is a large green space from University Park in the south to the American Legion Mall in the north. The facility is collectively known as the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza, and the largest building here is the Indiana World War Memorial, which was modeled after the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus as a memorial to the First World War. In the 64-meter-high neoclassical building, there is a memorial hall and a museum.

The Depew Memorial Fountain, which was built in 1919, is in University Park as well and just north of the Indiana World War Memorial is Obelisk Square with a 30-meter-high black granite obelisk from 1930. In this square you can see flags from the 50 states of the USA. To the north on the American Legion Mall there are memorials from several wars in the 20th century. There is also a central cenotaph and two buildings used by the American Legion, which is an organization for American veterans.

There are several interesting structures in downtown Indianapolis. From the Indiana World War Memorial you can see the large neo-Gothic Scottish Rite Cathedral, a Masonic building from 1927-1929. The building draws on both castle and church architecture with Tudor inspiration, and it contains fine rooms with beautiful glass mosaics under the 65-meter-high tower. In the city, you can also see the Masonic buildings Indianapolis Masonic Temple and Old National Center, both of which are worth seeing.

West of downtown is the Indiana Central Canal waterway, which was opened in 1836 and which should have connected the cities of Peru and Evansville via Indianapolis. Only a few kilometers of the planned 476 were dug before the project was stopped. Today you can enjoy a stroll along the Indianapolis Canal Walk, where the cityscape is cozy and with many beautiful views. You can, for example, walk along the Canal Walk to the west to White River State Park, which is located along the White River.

Indianapolis also has its fair share of museums, such as the Indiana State Museum, which is located along the Canal Walk. The museum is considered the state’s national museum telling the story of Indiana’s history, culture, art, etc. through the ages. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is another interesting museum. It is a car and motorsports museum that shows the history of the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 races.