The Reichstag building is undoubtedly one of the most popular sights in Berlin and is one of the most important landmarks of the capital.
The Reichstag was built by Paul Wallot in 1884-1994 and is the seat of the German Bundestag or the federal government. With its new transparent dome, the Berlin landmark has become one of the most popular sights in Berlin and the biggest crowd puller the capital. Its colorful past reflects the turbulence in German history since the 19th century.
After prior registration, you can visit the Reichstag with a 90-minute guided tour . You can also take part in a plenary session or visit the Reichstag dome and the roof terrace free of charge
A quick sniff or a detailed tour – both are possible, but only with prior registration . Simply use the online form and you can find further information at bundestag.de .
The roof garden restaurant of the Reichstag is located in the dome. The Käfer roof garden restaurant can be found right next to the glass dome of the German Bundestag. It offers a breathtaking view over the city and is one of the places where you can have a wonderful breakfast in Berlin.
The Käfer Roof Garden Restaurant is open from Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. But you can’t get in without a reservation: 030-22 62 99-0 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Photograph the Reichstag and the government district from the water on a boat trip through Berlin.
Stroll through the government district and learn more about Berlin’s history and architecture of the Reichstag building on a city tour.
Explore Berlin’s sights on a bus tour and get off at the Reichstag.
Here you can find ideas about what else you can do in Berlin.
Berlin is the right place for you to discover the scenes of history: the Reichstag is one of the most striking sights in Germany – and has a lot to tell. So it’s no wonder that not only newcomers to Berlin are drawn there. Berlin connoisseurs also wander through the historic building. Today everyone knows the Reichstag as the linchpin of German politics – this is where the Parliament sits and deliberates.
Take a walk yourself from the roof terrace over the spiral path of the glass dome . High above Berlin you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view, while below you will discuss the political events of tomorrow.
1884 – that is the year in which the foundation stone for the Reichstag building is laid. Its story begins a good ten years earlier with the establishment of the German Empire. The almost 400 members of the new parliament need a suitable roof over their heads. A large and at the same time dignified building is to be found.
Architect Paul Wallot chooses the splendid style of the Italian Renaissance. The striking dome, which you can enter today, was also planned back then – as a modern highlight made of glass and steel. However, it is not an eye-catcher for everyone: Kaiser Wilhelm II criticizes the design in the strongest possible terms. Nonetheless, the construction with the dome was completed in 1894.
The Reichstag had its first important event in 1918: Imagine how the Weimar Republic was proclaimed from the balcony. A historic moment!
The parliament building wrote dark history in 1933. The Reichstag fire destroyed a large part of the building. To this day, various theories have been entwined around the cause. Whether it is really arson on the part of the communists remains in the dark. But the fire marks the takeover of power by the National Socialists.
An end to the destruction is not in sight. The Reichstag is bombed in World War II. In April 1945 , Soviet soldiers finally hoisted the red flag over the destroyed building. An important symbolic act that marks the victory over the German Empire .
Until the German reunification, the Reichstag is no longer the focus of political interest. The BRD parliament rules in Bonn. The reconstruction in Berlin takes place anyway. But initially without the characteristic dome – it would have pleased the emperor. With German reunification in 1991, the federal government decided: The all-German parliament should be relocated to Berlin. To this end, the government is planning to convert the Reichstag building. An architecture competition is called. The requirement is to keep the old style and combine it with energy-saving measures. Sir Norman Foster wins the contract – and opts for a glass dome.
1994 to 1999 the Reichstag was rebuilt and expanded by the architect Sir Norman Forster. He opted for an accessible transparent dome that can be walked through and seen when political decisions are made. True to the motto: “We (the government) want to show that we have nothing to hide”.
1999 the Bundestag moves into the Reichstag and has its seat there to this day.
The Reichstag is in Berlin-Mitte, very close to the Berlin Central Station . From there you can see the distinctive dome well. Take a walk, the 10-minute walk is well worth it. You cross the Spree over the Gustav Heinemann Bridge. In the middle of the green Spreebogenpark it goes to the Platz der Republik as the destination of your trip. Alternatively, the underground lines U5 and U55 will take you from the main train station to the Bundestag stop. The journey takes about four minutes.
The dome and roof terrace can be visited free of charge every day from 8 a.m. to midnight, last admission is at 9.45 p.m. Closed all day on December 24th and from 4pm on December 31st.
To visit the dome and roof terrace, you have to www.bundestag.de in advance Sign in. Tickets for guided tours can also be ordered directly from reichstag-fuehrung.de in order to avoid long queues on site.
You can find more information about the Reichstag here: www.bundestag.de