| Reichstag tips and photos posted by real travelers and Berlin locals.
Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten
• 309 Photos
• 203 Reviews
See all Berlin Things To Do |
 | Berlin Reichstag Reviews | 1 - 10 of 203 |  |
The Reichstag or Parliamentary Building is one of the most symbolic buildings in Berlin. It was opened in 1894 and housed the parliament until 1933 when it was destroyed by a fire started by the Nazis. It was then further damaged during World War II.
From 1994–99 the Reichstag was reconstructed and extended by the architect Norman Forster. Since then it is again the seat of the German Bundestag or federal government and, with its stunning new dome, it is one of the city's biggest tourist attractions.
The beautiful dome or cupola is so worth a visit. A ramp winds its way up to the top, where you can enjoy fabulous views over the city, whilst exclaiming over the beauty of this open-aired structure. The mirror-clad funnel in the middle of the dome is great for taking quirky photos!
Be prepared for a queue to enter the building. We arrived at 10am and had to queue for an hour - outside, inside, security checks, elevator - before we made it to the dome.
Don't forget to photograph the huge German flag that flies proudly at the front of the building. It was first flown at the official celebrations of German reunifications in 1990.
The dome is open daily from 8am - 10pm and admission is free. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Berlin?
Read reviews about Berlin Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
To let a foreign architect build a cupola over the national parliament that enables everyone to climb over the heads of the members of the parliament would probably be considered as rather controversial in most places. Yet, this piece of architecture designed by sir Norman Foster in 1999 makes a perfect end to a century that saw many dramatic changes within the walls of this building.
The glass dome is really fascinating in its huge size, dominating the Berlin skyline; in its simplicity and in its symbolics. Everyone can access it for free (there are queues in front of the main entrance to Reichstag) and climb the double ramps untill its (open to rain!) top. On the one side you can enjoy the views of the city (fascinating) and on the other side you can enjoy the broken views of yourself and your fellow co-climbers in a series of mirror-glasses. There is a small presentation of the history of the building at the basement of the cupola.
Although the lines can be long (go there early!) it did not take us more that 45 minutes to go inside and there were even nice girls who were offering free brochures you can study while waiting. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
There is no better place to start at least this virtual tour of Berlin than in Reichstag. Here you can feel as being in heart of Germany with thousands of visitors literally climbing over the heads of members of the German parliament, enjoying the views of united city.
Reichstag was built after the founding of the German Empire in 1872, when a large parliamentary building was needed. This huge classicist building was designed by Paul Wallot and measures 137 by 97 metres. The famous inscription 'Dem Deutschen Volke' (To the German People) was added in 1916. In 1933 it burned as the famous fire broke out probably caused by Hitler's party members in a (successful) attempt to gain power in Germany. The building was even further damaged at the end of the WWII but it also became a symbol of Hitler's defeat with the famous picture of a Red Army Soldier raising the Soviet flag on top of it.
Wrapped by Christo in 1995 Reichstag was once again on front pages of all newspapers in the world this time symbolizing united Germany and re-born spirit of Berlin. Although the building's history is interesting, it is the new present in the shape of the public-accessible cupola on top of it that makes it a real landmark of today's Berlin. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
"My most intimate experience of the building previous to this, was in Call of Duty's excellent recreation of the Soviet's Storming of the Reichstag, and seeing it in all its restored glory gave me a momentary flashback. Sitting in the enormous Tiergarten, taking a well earned rest from Hanno's concrete jungle safari, my eyes glazed over as I remembered charging bravely through the building's doors, courageously fending off a spirited German defence, before climbing to the roof to heroically plant the Soviet flag for all the world to see. This imagery contrasted markedly from the tranquil scene we experienced, lazing in the unusually warm October sun, almost completely alone in the entire grounds in front of the building. I thought this was quite amazing for such an important national treasure." - from my travelogue
Just on the western side of the Brandenburg Gate is the Reichstag, or Bundestag as it is now officially know. Built in 1894 as the parliament for the German republic, the Reichstag is once again the seat of government for a unified Germany, after the government of the country was split between Bonn and East Berlin for four decades. The building is set in the enormous and peaceful grounds of the Tiergarten (animal garden), wedged right up against what used to be the Berlin wall.
The Reichstag has had a colorful and eventful, if relatively short, history. Most people will have heard of the Burning of the Reichstag, the event of 1933 that Hitler used as a pretext for seizing power. The building was again the stage of huge drama, when 12 years later the Soviets beat the British and Americans to the prize, and finished off the German resistance in the Storming of the Reichstag. After re-unification, the building was subject to a $11 billion refurbishment, by British architech Sir Norman Foster, who included the controversial glass dome on the roof, which has since proved extremely popular. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
The central dome and most of the ornamentation were removed during the reconstruction after the war. After the unification the decision was made to move the Bundestag from Bonn back to Berlin. This decision resulted in the latest reconstruction which started in 1995 and was completed in 1999. The design by Sir Norman Foster added a glass dome over the plenary hall. At first the subject of much controversy, the dome has become one of the city's most recognized landmarks. Since April 1999, the Reichstag is once again the seat of the Bundestag. You can visit the Reichstag and walk all the way to the top of the dome. Eye-catching and a masterpiece of modern technology, the dome is one of the main attractions of the Reichstag building. The figures alone are impressive – 23.5 metres high and 40 metres in diameter. A total of 800 metric tonnes of steel were used in the construction and the outer shell consists of 3000 square metres of glass. The dome of the Reichstag building is accessible for the visitor by two ramps leading up from the roof terrace, offering an amazing panorama over the city of Berlin (open daily from 8 am until 12 pm). The dome houses the sophisticated ventilation and lighting systems for the assembly room. Leave a Comment Phone: 22 73 21 52Directions: Bus 100
|
| | |
Visiting Berlin?
Read reviews about Berlin Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
There' s a great roof-terrace on top of the building from which you have an amazing view on the city. The view out of the 23 m high cupola is even better - inside you go up by one of 8 ramps, each of them exactly 230 m long! My tip is to come here in the evening when you don't have to queue anymore for several hours. You can walk up until 10 pm and stay on top until 1 am every day. Leave a Comment Phone: 22 73 21 52Directions: Bus 100
|
Some people don’t like it’s general impression – the mixture of a 100 year old building with a modern cupola. In my eyes this is a brilliant composition of architecture.
And where else is a house of parliament always open for the entire nation and visitors and not only for the deputies.
If you would like to join a guided tour through the plenary assembly hall or even watch the plenary session, write a fax to that number: 030-22732152.
Reichstag open from 10:00 am to 1:am, entry until 22:00 pm (for the terrace). Leave a Comment Phone: 22 73 21 52Directions: Bus 100
|
Talks are held on the visitors` gallery of the plenary chamber of the German Bundestag during weeks when parliament is not sitting. 45-minute talk on the functions, working methods and composition of parliament, as well as the history and architecture of the Reichstag Building, followed by a discussion It was an interesting experience to be in the plenary chamber. Leave a Comment Phone: 22 73 21 52Directions: Bus 100
|
The Reichstag is a marvel of historical re-construction and re-imagination, a governmental landmark for the 21st century. On a brisk day in November, it gleams in the afternoon sunlight. No doubt modern Germany faces many problems, economic, social, political. But they certainly have a governmental center to be proud of. Leave a Comment Phone: 22 73 21 52Directions: Bus 100
|
The Reichstag is the seat of the German parliament (Bundestag). It is also one of the major tourist attractions in Berlin.
HISTORY:
The Reichstag has for a long time been part of Germany's history: It was built from 1884-94 for the parliament (Reichstag) of the new German state, which had only been in existence since 1871.
On 9th November 1918, politician Philipp Scheidemann declared Germany a republic from one of the windows of the Reichstag - this was the end of the Kaiserreich.
When part of the Reichstag was destroyed in a fire on 27 February 1933, the Nazis used this to justify the persecution of their political enemies (Reichstag Fire Decree).
After the war, the building was rebuilt, but no longer used as a parliamentary building. The dome itself was not rebuilt.
It wasn't until German reunification in 1990 that it was decided to use the building for the German parliament again. Reconstruction work followed and famous British architect Sir Norman Foster added the accessible glass dome. In 1999, the parliament moved back into the Reichstag building.
VISITOR INFORMATION:
Visitors can access the roof terrace and dome of the Reichstag building. You will have an amazing view of historic Berlin.
Opening times: Daily from 08.00 to 24.00 hours (last admission 22.00 hours). Be prepared for long queues during peak hours.
Admission is free. Leave a Comment Phone: 22 73 21 52Directions: Nearest stations and stops: Hauptbahnhof (Long-distance trains, regional trains, S-Bahn), Friedrichstraße (regional trains, S-Bahn, U-Bahn), Unter den Linden (S-Bahn), Reichstag/Bundestag (Bus routes 100, M 41)Website: http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/visitors/index.html
|
| | |
|
More Berlin Travel Deals Berlin Hotels
Choose from 300 Hotels in Berlin with Expedia Real Traveler Reviews. Berlin Hotels
by Crowne Plaza Hotels. Book our lowest online rates! Official Site Berlin's Coolest Hotel
unique apartments - Berlin's center more space than a hotel room Europe Coach Travel Trip
Group trips for 18-35. 12 days, Hotel Accommodation, Luxury Bus Sponsored Links
- Hotel Am Hermannplatz
Kottbusser Damm 24 Kreuzberg, Berlin - East Side Hotel
Mühlenstrasse 6, Berlin - Art Appart Suitenhotel
Goehtestrasse 50 A, Berlin - The Ritz-Carlton Schlosshotel Berlin
Brahmsstrasse 10 (formerly Ritz-Carlton), Berlin - Upstalsboom Hotel Friedrichsha
Gubener Strasse 42, Berlin - Hotel Ambassador Berlin
Bayreuther Strasse 42 - 43, Berlin - The Mandala Suites
Friedrichstrasse 185-190 (formerly Madison Friedrichstrasse), Berlin - Central-Hotel Tegel
Holzhauser Strasse 2, Berlin - Hotel Allegra
Albrechstrasse 17 Mitte, Berlin - Les Nations
Zinzendorfstrasse 6 Tiergarten, Berlin - Hotel Adlon
Unter den Linden 77, Berlin - All In Hotel/Hostal
Gruenberger Strasse 54 Mitte, Berlin - Nh Berlin Heinrich Heine
Heinrich Heine Platz 11 (formerly Heinrich Heine City Suites), Berlin - A & O Friedrichshain
Boxhagener Strasse 73, Berlin - Novalis
Novalisstrasse 5, Berlin
|
on August 11, 2006
on October 1, 2005
on October 16, 2004
on August 28, 2005
on September 28, 2004
on December 11, 2004
on August 14, 2008
