Reichstag Building in Berlin, Germany
The Reichstag is an internationally recognisable symbol of democracy and the current home of
the German parliament. Every year,
thousands of guests visit the Reichstag - and with good reason:
It is not often that you can enjoy such an amazing panorama while, just beneath your feet,
the political decisions of tomorrow are being made.
Both as an architectural wonder and a historical testimony,
the Reichstag has an important role to play in Berlin.
The original building is designed by Paul Wallot and modelled after the Memorial Hall in
Philadelphia. Decorative motifs,
sculptures and mosaics are contributed by the artist Otto Lessing.
The Reichstag is completed in 1894 although it doesn’t acquire its iconic dedication to “the
German People” until 1916 when the words Dem Deutschen Volke are inscribed on its façade.
At the time Kaiser Wilhelm II regards the building as “the pinnacle of bad taste”.
The Reichstag serves as the home of the German parliament until 1933 when the building is badly
damaged in a fire. This event marks the end of the Weimar Republic and provides a convenient
pretext for Hitler to suppress dissent.
Under Nazi dictatorship, the building falls into neglect and is severely damaged during the
Second World War. In 1945 it becomes one of the primary targets for the Red Army due to its
perceived propaganda value.
After the war, West Germany’s parliament is relocated to Bonn,
and the building remains a virtual ruin until 1961 when a partial renovation is undertaken in
the shadow of the newly erected Wall.
Completed in 1964 this controversial restoration sees the building’s interior and exterior
stripped of the majority of its statuary.
However, the city makes efforts to retain the traces of its more recent history such as the
bullet ridden façade and the graffiti left by the occupying Soviet soldiers.
Throughout the cold war period and until the German reunification in 1989 the Reichstag is the
site of a permanent exhibition, “Questions about German History” but otherwise sees only
occasional ceremonial use. In 1990 the Reichstag is the site of the official reunification
ceremony. After another year of intense debate,
it is decided that it will once again be the home of the German national parliament.
In 1995, just prior to the commencement of Norman Foster’s restoration of the building,
artist Christo and his wife Jeanne-Claude wrap the Reichstag in fabric.
Foster’s careful restoration and redesign of the building is completed in 1999,
and the new German government convenes at the Reichstag for the first time on April the 19th.
There is a certain irony in the fact that the building’s glass cupola is not featured in
Foster’s original plans for the renovation of the Reichstag.
The dome sits directly above the debating chamber.
A mirrored cone at its centre directs light into the Reichstag,
increasing the building’s energy efficiency and affording visitors a view of the parliamentary
proceedings below. The dome itself can be visited by prior registration and is reached by two
large steel ramps that curve up towards it in the form of a double helix.
Five fascinating facts about the Reichstag
• Cyrillic graffiti left by Soviet soldiers, after their siege of the Reichstag in 1945,
has been carefully preserved and can be still seen by visitors today.
• A true example of eco-architecture,
the Reichstag is highly self sufficient in its production of energy.
The shape of the dome allows the building to make use of natural lighting and ventilation which
makes the building a unique symbol of sustainability.
• The Reichstag is an important art venue.
It has a considerable art collection and shows changing exhibitions as well as permanently
installed artworks.
• The roof of the Reichstag is home to the Käfer Dachgarten Restaurant where guests with a
prior reservation can enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Free panoramic view included!
• Besides its eventful history, Berlin is known to be a casual and friendly city.
See for yourself on the grass in front of the Reichstag.
This is a perfect place for picnics and a popular spot for sunbathing and relaxing.
Dome
The large glass dome at the very top of the Reichstag has a 360-degree view of the surrounding
Berlin cityscape. The main hall (debating chamber) of the parliament below can also be seen
from inside the dome, and natural light from above radiates down to the parliament floor.
A large sun shield tracks the movement of the sun electronically and blocks direct sunlight
which would not only cause large solar gain, but dazzle those below.
Construction work was finished in 1999 and the seat of parliament was transferred to the
Bundestag in April of that year. The dome is open to visitors by prior registration.
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