The Reichstag is the building of the German parliament. In 1894-1933, meetings of this state institution were held here. Since 1999, the building has been called the Bundestag - the Federal Assembly of the German Republic. Today it is one of the main attractions of Berlin, visited by millions of tourists every year. The Reichstag attracts everyone, first of all, with its complex and rich past, inseparable from the history of Germany and the Second World War.
After the unification of the German principalities, the parliament of the empire needed a decent building. The site chosen for the construction of a government building on the banks of the Spree River belonged to the diplomat Radzinsky, who refused to alienate it. This was done just three years after his death. Construction began in 1884 under Wilhelm Iand was completed 10 years later, when Wilhelm II became the head of the country. The author of the project was the architect Paul Valot. He preferred the Italian Renaissance style. This is what the building looked like originally:
The square building is decorated with four towers - symbols of the German kingdoms - Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Württemberg.
In 1933, there was a severe fire in the Reichstag. The culprit was not found, but the communists were blamed for the arson. This helped Adolf Hitler come to head the country's government.
The Reichstag was restored, but during World War II it was half destroyed.
By 1972, the architect Paul Baumgartner had actually rebuilt the Reichstag, but without the dome. Parliament no longer held its meetings here, and the building was transferred to the Historical Museum.
In 1990, after the reunification of Germany, the parliament - the Bundestag - was moved from Bonn to Berlin and was again located in the Reichstag. The reconstruction was led by British architect Norman Foster. He built a grandiose dome on the roof, in the center of the building. The restored Reichstag was opened in 1999.
This is what a modern dome looks like:
It weighs 120 tons and not only decorates the building, but is also part of its eco-energy system. Inside the dome there is a cone consisting of 360 mirrors arranged in 30 rows. A computer program adjusts the tilt of the mirrors to ensure ideal lighting inside in any weather.
Above the main entrance to the Reichstag there is an inscription: “To the German people”:
Due to the increased terrorist threat, tourists are prohibited from free entry to the Reichstag dome. They have only the visible field at their disposal. To see the building and the dome, you need to sign up for a tour. The duration of the excursion is 90 minutes. To register, you can fill out a special online form on the Reichstag website: www.bundestag.de/en/visittheBundestag/dome/tours. Before entering the building you will have to undergo a special check. Bring your ID with you. The entrance is free. Tours are conducted in different languages.
How to get to the Reichstag:
- metro line U55, stop U Bundestag;
- by bus No. 100, stop Reichstag/Bundestag;
- by commuter train S1, S2, S25, stop Brandenburger Tor.
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