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Architecture, Sculpture & Monuments

You are not imagining things. In Baltimore, there really is art everywhere you look. From the classical facades and striking palazzo effect of Mount Vernon Square to the ramshackle, nautical appeal of Fell’s Point and the larger-than-life modern sculpture of the Inner Harbor, you can’t walk a block without encountering our diverse architecture and commitment to public art.

Baltimore’s unique place in American history as one of our nation’s oldest seaports and as a major point of immigration during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries are certainly part of the explanation for our city’s varied architectural styles. Visit a few times and you’ll see that each neighborhood has its own feel and appeal, with distinct architecture dating to the period it was first settled. Federal Hill boasts genteel colonial rowhomes. Fell’s Point beckons with nautical charm. Mount Vernon’s stately elegance evokes its pedigreed origins. Bolton Hill’s stately brownstones recall 19th century urban grandeur. If you’re into bricks and mortar, you’ll never tire of strolling our avenues and lanes.

One of Baltimore’s oldest nicknames is the Monumental City. That’s because from George Washington to Edgar Allan Poe and General Lafeyette to Cal Ripken, if they’ve played a big roll in Baltimore city life, we’ve likely erected a monument in their honor. While strolling our streets, you’ll meet Thurgood Marshall in the Inner Harbor, George Washington – if you care to climb to greet him – in Mount Vernon and Francis Scott Key in Bolton Hill. Where else can you run into those guys in one afternoon?

Just across the street from Justice Marshall’s statue, you’ll notice an intriguing collection of rubber balls encased in a metal cage. Down Pratt Street at McKeldin Square, you’ll find yourself in the midst of several towering sculptures entitled Ecstasy of Love and Joy by Setsuko Ono, Yoko’s sister. It seems no matter where you are downtown you’re surrounded by art. This is because Baltimore’s 1%-for Art-Ordinance has long required that 1% of the City’s capital construction projects budgets be allocated for public art. Over 300 pieces of art have been commissioned as part of this program because in Baltimore, we believe that art enriches the cityscape and improves quality of life and the artistic and creative climate in our city. We are honored to share our civic pride with you.