The Cabildo is one of the most significant historical landmarks in New Orleans, positioned right next to the iconic St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. Constructed between 1795 and 1799 as the seat of the Spanish colonial government, it witnessed pivotal moments in Louisiana’s past, including the signing of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 that transferred the territory from France to the United States.

Today, the Cabildo is part of the Louisiana State Museum and offers exhibitions that tell the complex stories of Louisiana’s diverse cultures, political changes, and historic events. Its impressive collection includes Napoleon’s death mask, artifacts from the Battle of New Orleans, and numerous rare historical documents, all set within stunning Spanish colonial architecture that has endured for more than two centuries.