The Capitolio Nationale in Havana, Cuba, the nation's capital building constructed in 1929, is an almost exact replica of the capital building in which city of the world?

A visitor to Havana's historic center might experience a strong sense of déjà vu upon seeing the city's former seat of government. This is no accident, as the magnificent Capitolio Nacional, completed in 1929, was intentionally designed to resemble the United States Capitol Building. The striking architectural similarity reflects the close, and often dominant, political and economic relationship between the U.S. and Cuba in the decades before the Cuban Revolution.

While the inspiration is undeniable, the Capitolio is not an exact duplicate and boasts its own unique grandeur. Its soaring dome, which also draws inspiration from the Panthéon in Paris, is actually a few meters taller than its Washington counterpart. The opulent interior is famously home to the Statue of the Republic, a massive bronze sculpture that stands as one of the largest indoor statues in the world.

The building's purpose has evolved with the country's history. After the 1959 revolution, it ceased to be a house of government and was repurposed to hold the Cuban Academy of Sciences. However, following a massive restoration project, the Capitolio was returned to its original function in 2018 and now serves as the official seat of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power.