Reichstag Building

3 years ago

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Culture-Government Building Culture-Historical Building Culture-Museum

Located next to the Berlin Wall line, the Reichstag remained almost 29 years separated from Brandenburg Gate. Nowadays, the former Reichstag building is the seat of the German Parliament (Bundestag). It is a classical structure, crowned by a large modern dome through which one can walk. The construction of the parliament building was completed in 1894. During its early years, it housed the German political forces until workers and soldiers occupied the building at the end of World War I, and the Weimar Republic was declared. In 1933, the building was the victim of a suspicious fire of which the culprit was never known. A Dutch communist agitator was accused of planning the attack, and the Nazis benefited from the scandal. Taking advantage of the situation, Hitler abolished most of the fundamental rights of the 1919 Constitution of the Weimar Republic. After World War II, the parliament building was destroyed, and there was an intense debate about its demolition or reconstruction. Ultimately, in 1956 the Germans decided to rebuild it without remaking its original dome. After going up in the lift, visitors will receive an audio guide that includes the historical facts of the building. Visitors will then have the opportunity to appreciate the most spectacular element of the building, the glass dome, located directly over the Plenary Hall of Parliament. The dome, redesigned by the architect Norman Foster to reconstruct the building, aims to be a symbolic feature. It symbolizes that this place is the center of parliamentary democracy and, the people, from the top, can see that all relevant matters are handled clearly and accordingly. Inside the dome, visitors can see a multitude of old photographs through which the history of Parliament is described through its most crucial times. It is necessary to make a reservation in advance. Same-day tickets are available but do not guarantee any free available places at the time of your visit. Various free 90-minute tours are available when the German Parliament is not sitting. Visitors can skip the line if they book a tour with a private company. There are many tours available that include the attraction. The price of these tours ranges from €15 for a 2-hour tour to €50. Photo credit: Tobias on Unplash.com