Spanish The Reichstag is home to Germany’s Bundestag, the German Parliament in Berlin. The Reichstag building that you can go and visit today was first built in June 1884 and finished by 1894. Many people are particularly interested in this building due to its fascinating and mysterious history. The building was set ablaze just weeks after Hitler rose to power.
No one knows who was responsible for destroying the documents and orders that existed during the Weimar Republic, but the Nazi party seized this opportunity to impose its own laws and regulations on the German people. When Hitler officially gained control he held meetings in the opera house just across the street from the destroyed Reichstag building.
Finally, after the collapse of the Nazi regime, the building was reconstructed by Architect Paul Baumgarten from 1961 to 1964, but the Parliament at this time was moved to Bonn. Interestingly enough, the new dome, designed by Sir Norman Foster, wasn’t erected and completed until 1999. It is essentially this glass dome that grabs many tourists’ admiration and attention.
In order to visit the dome, you must make an appointment in advance online. The transparent glass dome is available for tours and viewing through the daytime and nighttime hours all the way until midnight! It’s well worth visiting The Reichstag an hour or so before your appointment so you have time to explore the Reichstag grounds and surrounding area.
The Reichstag is set behind the Spree which makes for a stunning photograph during sunset hours if you’re not already spending your time up and around the dome that is. Some of Berlin’s most important and modern buildings are set adjacent to the Reichstag making every angle an attractive angle, especially if you can capture a tour boat in the background cruising between the city’s most important sites.
When you and your family, or loved one make it to the dome you can either choose to look in on a Parliamentary meeting or across the way, with a 360º perspective over Berlin. There is even a restaurant on the roof of the Reichstag, where you can enjoy Breakfast, lunch, or dinner while looking over the landscape of Berlin.
The unique shape of the glass dome is designed to maximize the amount of natural sunlight that enters the building. The design is also curated to provide natural ventilation in the building.
Just outside the Reichstag, you can spend your time on the Platz der Republik, one of the many State Parks. Many tourists who missed the opportunity to make an appointment and see the inner workings of the Reichstag are more than satisfied with the surrounding grounds.
Tiergarten and Brandenburg Gate are just a few steps away, where you may happen upon many of Berlin’s memorials or sculptures along your route. Also in the vicinity is Spreebogen Park, which is a park with a waterfront view in the midst of beautiful architecture, such as Berlin’s central Train station, gardens, trails, and stunning bridges.
