The Reichstag The Reichstag is one of the principal magnets of Berlin tourism. Its appearance seems to be time - honoured,
The Reichstag in Berlin
The Reichstag / Foto © Boris Orschel
but the Reichstag has already a futuristic look. This effect brings out the walkable glass dome on the roof of the building. History and present are perfectly combined. So if you are on a visite in Berlin don't miss to pay attention to this imposing example of architecture. It is decidedly the best to attend a guided tour through the Reichstag. You obtain much information about history and background which you would never get without it. So if you only want to have a look at the glass dome, the hours of opening are from eight till midnight. No fees are attached. But attention should be paid the long time of waiting. Note that one and a half hour are not unusual, if you don't start early in the morning. At the weekend it could be even longer. Perhaps you want to have a coffee at the roof top restaurant. A visit is by all means worthwhile.

The Reichstag is the seat of the political centre of Germany. The parliament holds its meetings at the plenary chamber underneath the amazing dome of glass and steel. The ramps which lead you elliptical to the top of the dome make a great visual impact. The great view from the roof of the Reichstag tops perhaps only the Television Tower or the Victory Column. More than 800 tons weighs the cupola of the Reichstag. The building outlay amounts to a considerable sum of 600 million Deutsche Marks. The directive architect was Sir Norman Foster.

He attached great importance to an ecological responsibility. Sir Norman Foster let install mirrors at the huge cylindre in the centre of the cupola. The incidence of light is led directely into the plenary chamber. That conserves electricity.
By the way the Reichstag had already a dome in former times. The building was construced from 1884 until 1894 depending on the plans of the architect Paul Wallot. The Reichstag was designed as a four wing building. He placed the plenary chamber at the centre. Wallot decided also to put up a dome of stone on the roof of the government building. But the German Emperor Wilhelm II prohibited specifically raising it higher than the dome of the Berlin Palace. He thought some people could have the impression, the parliament has a greater status than the emperor himself. Because of the same reason the famous inscription "Dem Deutschen Volke" ("Dedicated to the German People") which adorns today the Reichstag, was first installed in 1916. Till that point it represented a too democratic opinion. So have a look at the remaining interesting history of the Reichstag. Two years later on November the 9th 1918 Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed the Weimarer Republic from a west side window of the Reichstag. The empire of Wilhelm II was destroyed because of the defeat in the First World War. In 1933 Adolf Hitler was searching for an excuse to justify his dictatorship. He was successful because of the fire, which damaged the Reichstag badly.

After the Second World War a new regime - the Russian - hoisted a foreign flag on the roof of the Reichstag. At that time bombs had destroyed the building. Of course the Reichstag was restorated from 1957 until 1972, but just like the "Berlin Chathedral" it was only a simplified reconstruction. Unfortunately it was too expensive to create a faithful reproduction. All the more it is impressive, that Sir Norman Forster brought a new look of the Reichstag into beeing in the nineties. Not only is the amazing view from the glass dome worthwile, but also the view into the two large inner courtyards. Both were restyled by the artist Hans Haake with a kind of sculpture, which defines the inscription of the Reichstag new: You can read the lettering: "Der Deutschen Bevölkerung" ("Dedicated to the German Population"). This declaration is a new statement and modern remake of the old-fashioned label "Dem Deutschen Volke": The German government takes responsibility for all living people in this country, not only the Germans. In front of the Reichstag is the "Platz der Republik" located. Tourists and amblers take a walk or relax on the lawn. Here you can repose and watch as Berlin living goes on. Text: A.K. / Übers. C.D.

More informations about Berlin in english
The "Alexanderplatz" - among Television Tower and World Clock
The Brandenburg Gate
Checkpoint Charlie
Informations about Berlin in english

Informationen über den Reichstag auf Deutsch.

 
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