REICHSTAG DOME TOURS - BERLIN
Views From The Glass Roof
“Dem Deutschen Volke” The German People, it says etched
over its entrance façade underneath one of the world’s most
famous glass domes and one of the most visited by tourists. The Reichstag
building is the capital structure of the modern unified German Republic,
housing the meeting chamber of the German Parliament, the Bundestag.
Constructed in 1894 to house the first parliament under the German Empire
the “Reich”. The
very solid imperial structure designed by architect Paul Wallot, was
intended to represent the strength the empire
under Wilhelm I. The difference between the name of the building and
the institution it houses are a reflection of the turbulent German national
history it represents. The end of the empire and formation of the German
Republic was announced from a window of the Reichstag on the 9th of
November 1918 after Germany defeat in World War I and the abdication
of Emperor Wilhelm II on noon
of that day.
On the 27th of February 1933 a fire burned the Reichstag,
reputedly started by a Communist radical,
but highly suspicious as Adolf Hitler used the event as a pretext to
take full power and begin his “Third Reich” of National Socialism.
On October 3 of 1990, the reunification of Germany was announced from
the Reichstag building by Helmut Kohl after the fall of the Berlin Wall
(see Berlin
Fall of the Wall Anniversary). In 1995, during its reconstruction
the artist Cristo wrapped the Reichstag in fabric and what emerged as
if from a cocoon was the crystal topped gem of Germany renewed capital
city of Berlin.
While
it is possible to view the German Parliament in action with seating
in the galleries or visits to plenary sessions and meetings with members
can
be arranged,
the main attraction for tourist
visitors to Berlin is the Reichstag’s glass dome. The Reichstag
building was almost entirely gutted and rebuilt as a modern open structure
and the massive glass dome replaced the long ago destroyed original 19th
Century copula. The roof of the Reichstag and the dome offer 360 degree
views
of sprawling Berlin.
A gently sloping ramp of 230 meters winds
up inside the dome to a viewing platform in the crown. In
the center of the dome an cone of mirrors like the reverse of a lighthouse
reflect
sunlight down into the parliament chamber visible from viewing windows.
A roof terrace restaurant, with a reservation necessary is located on
the eastern end of the roof open for lunch and dinner until midnight.
Best viewing is probably just after sunset when the lights of the city
twinkle into the distance.
Visiting the Reichstag Dome
The
Reichstag is one of Berlin’s most popular visited tour sites,
located close to the Brandenburg Gate and across the Spree River from
Berlin’s new main Bahnhof rail station. Entrance
to the Reichstag is free, though advance
registration is
now necessary for the dome, at least 3 days in advance of arrival.
The old line-up first come system has been changed. The dome is open
every
day from 8am to Midnight with the last admission at 11 pm,
with entrance times every 15 minutes - except for occasional closures
during special events of the Bundestag. Notices
of closures can be found on the Bundestag website. Guided tours
in several languages are available at no cost with advance booking
-
and Tuesdays
at noon, hour long briefings about the activities of the Parliament
are given in English in the visitors gallery when the Bundestag
is not in
session. (briefings in French at 1 pm). © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best hotel and vacation deals in Berlin on TripAdvisor
Web Info
German
Bundestag
Reichstag Roof Restaurant Reservation
+49 (0) 30 226 29933
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BRANDENBURG GATE NEW YEAR’S PARTY IN BERLIN
