Memorial Chamber Peace Tower Ottawa

At the heart of the Peace Tower lies the Memorial Chamber, a solemn space dedicated to Canadians who gave their lives in service. Completed in 1928, it was designed as both shrine and sanctuary, built from stones gathered from battlefields in France and Belgium. Every detail — from the carved poppies and passages of “In Flanders Fields” to the stained glass windows glowing with symbols of sacrifice and peace — reminds visitors of the cost of war.

At its centre stands the altar, resting on steps quarried from Flanders Fields. Upon it lie the Books of Remembrance, recording the names of more than 118,000 Canadians who have died in conflict since the 19th century. Each day at 11 a.m., a page in every book is turned, ensuring that every name is revealed at least once a year.

The Chamber is often called the spiritual heart of Parliament. While the Peace Tower rises as a national symbol of sacrifice and peace, the Chamber within offers a place of quiet reflection, where the memory of the fallen is preserved in stone, glass, and ritual.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley