The Reichstag

The Reichstag is the seat of the German parliament, a grand nineteenth-century building scarred by fire, war and division and reborn after reunification, when the architect Norman Foster crowned it with a soaring glass dome. Visitors can climb a spiral ramp inside the dome for sweeping views over Berlin and down into the debating chamber, a symbol of open, democratic government.

History

From 1871 the new imperial parliament met in a former property of the royal porcelain works on Leipziger Strasse, and a competition of 1872 with 103 architects was won by Ludwig Bohnstedt, but the site on the Königsplatz was not yet available. A second competition in 1882, with 200 entrants, was won by the Frankfurt architect Paul Wallot, whose design took Philadelphia's Memorial Hall as its model and whose four corner towers stood for the kingdoms of Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and Württemberg; Wilhelm I laid the foundation stone on 9 June 1884, and the building was completed in 1894, praised for its steel and glass cupola. The inscription Dem deutschen Volke, "To the German People", was placed above the main front in 1916 (Wikipedia, Reichstag building).

The main sights

• The glass dome - the spiral ramp up the modern dome for city views.
• The view over Berlin - the panorama from the roof terrace.
• The historic facade - the grand old building and its layered history.
• The chamber below - the view down into the parliament's debating hall.

When to go

Year-round; the dome is a fully accessible climb, good in any weather and lit at night. You must register free in advance, so book online ahead of your visit as walk-up is not possible.

Practical notes

You must register free in advance with your name, as security is strict and there is no walk-up entry; book online ahead. The dome can close for parliamentary reasons. It is the dome and view that draw visitors rather than the interior generally.

Nearby

The Brandenburg Gate and the government quarter are alongside; the Holocaust Memorial is a short walk.

Key facts