The capital city of Minnesota is Saint Paul, a city of roughly 308,000 people on the Mississippi River in Ramsey County. It has held that role continuously since 1849 and houses all three branches of state government.
Where Saint Paul Sits
Saint Paul lies in the eastern part of the state, on bluffs above the Mississippi River. The river location made the area a trade and transportation hub long before statehood, and the elevated terrain gave prominent public buildings a natural platform.
Saint Paul makes up one half of the Twin Cities, sharing a western border with Minneapolis. The two are often mentioned together but have distinct identities: Minneapolis is the larger commercial center, while Saint Paul carries the governmental functions and a quieter, more residential feel shaped by its riverfront neighborhoods and historic architecture.
How Saint Paul Became the Capital
Saint Paul’s status traces to the Organic Act of 1849, the federal law that created the Minnesota Territory. That act directed the first territorial legislature to hold its opening session in Saint Paul, and it convened on September 3, 1849, at the Central House hotel at Bench and Minnesota Streets.1Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Organic Act of 1849 The legislature had authority to pick a different temporary seat and voters could eventually choose a permanent one, but neither happened.
When Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858, the new constitution locked the arrangement in. Article XIII, Section 10 says the seat of government “is in the city of St. Paul” and requires a statewide popular vote to move it.2Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Constitution of the State of Minnesota That safeguard makes relocation extraordinarily unlikely.
The Minnesota State Capitol Building
The capitol building sits on a hill overlooking downtown Saint Paul. Architect Cass Gilbert designed it, and it was completed in 1905. Its self-supporting marble dome is the second largest in the world, behind only St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.3Explore Minnesota. Minnesota State Capitol The exterior combines Georgia marble with St. Cloud granite. Inside, the House and Senate chambers carry murals, sculptures, and stencil work on regional themes.4Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota’s Third State Capitol
By the early 2010s the exterior marble had deteriorated enough to raise safety concerns, and the building went through a $310 million restoration from 2013 to 2017. The work restored the Senate and House chambers, the Supreme Court courtroom, and 57 paintings. Crews uncovered original skylights, re-gilded the Quadriga sculpture on the roof, and brought the building into ADA compliance. The project also added close to 40,000 square feet of public space, including meeting rooms, gallery areas, and a tour center.5Minnesota Historical Society. Restoration
State Government in Saint Paul
All three branches of Minnesota government operate from Saint Paul. The legislature meets in the capitol during annual sessions that typically run mid-February through mid-May; the 2026 regular session is scheduled from February 17 through May 18. The governor’s office is housed in the same building, which is where bills are signed and the day-to-day work of the executive branch happens.
The Minnesota Supreme Court, the state’s court of last resort, sits in the Minnesota Judicial Center at 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, next to the capitol grounds.6Minnesota Judicial Branch. Minnesota Judicial Center The court has original and appellate jurisdiction, is the final interpreter of the state constitution, sets the rules of practice for all Minnesota courts, and regulates the practice of law in the state, including lawyer discipline.7Minnesota Judicial Branch. Supreme Court
The governor’s official residence is separate, at 1006 Summit Avenue in one of the city’s most prominent historic neighborhoods. Designated the State Ceremonial Building, it is both the private home for the governor’s family and a venue for official state events.8Minnesota Department of Administration. Governor’s Residence
Visiting the Capitol
The capitol is open year-round with free admission. Weekday hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the information desk opening at 8:30 a.m. Saturday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The building is closed Sundays and on major holidays, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.9Minnesota Historical Society. Hours and Admission
Guided tours leave on the hour and run about 45 minutes. On weekdays the first tour departs at 9:00 a.m. and the last at 3:00 p.m.; Saturday tours run 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All tours start at the Capitol Information and Tour Center in Room 126.9Minnesota Historical Society. Hours and Admission Coming during a legislative session gives you a chance to watch floor debates and committee hearings, which is a very different visit from a summer walk-through of empty chambers.
If you are organizing a rally on the capitol grounds rather than visiting, a separate process applies: Minnesota rules require a permit from the Department of Administration at least seven working days before the event.10Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. MN Rules Chapter 1235