German Parliament Building - Berlin, Berlin Brandenburg Metropolitan

German Parliament Building - Berlin - details and images

Reichstag, German parliament building is one of the most important and historic sights of Berlin. Parliament building is near the Brandenburg Gate and before the unification of Germany was even approached the Berlin Wall.

After founding the German Empire in 1872, came a greater need for a Parliament building in Berlin. They had to pass another 10 years before they could reach agreement on the project. A competition was organized and the 183 participants, the project was chosen by Paul Wallot. German architect has created an imposing neo-Renaissance building, 137 meters long with a width of 97 meters.

The building was built between 1884 and 1894, was funded mainly with money from France, obtained after the war won by Prussia in 1871. Inscription "Dem Deutschen Volk (To the German people) was added later, in 1916, by Emperor Wilhelm II. The letters were made from bronze cannons captured from the French.

In 1933 a fire broke out inside the building, destroying much of the Reichstag. And today it is still unclear who has been on fire but the fault of the Communists. This event brought a Hitler's party came to power shortly after that. The building suffered even more damage to the end of the war, when Soviet troops entered Berlin. Picture of a Red Army soldier raising the Soviet flag on the Reichstag is a one of the most famous images of the 20th century and symbolizes the defeat of Nazi Germany.

After the war, the Reichstag has arrived in West Berlin, near the Berlin Wall. It was rebuilt between 1958 and 1972 but the central dome and most of the ornaments have been removed. During the time when Germany was divided, the West German Parliament reunited here once a year as a way of showing that Bonn is only a temporary capital. After unification, decided almost immediately to the Bundestag moved from Bonn to Berlin. The decision to move had resulted in a new building renovation that started in 1995 and was completed in 1999.

In a project of Sir Norman Foster was added to a glass dome over the plenary hall. Although at first it was the subject of controversy, the dome has become one of the most iconic images of the city. Since April 1999, the Reichstag is once again home to the Bundestag. Part of the Reichstag building is open to the public. A lift takes tourists on the roof of the building where they can climb the dome with a spiral staircase.

Address:
Platz der Republik 1
10557 Berlin

Rates:
Admission is free.

Schedule:
Daily - 8:00 am - 11:55 pm

Transportation:
Subway - Brandenburger Tor: U55
Bus - Reichstag / Bundestag: 100, M85
Train - Brandenburger Tor: S1, S2, S25

Information source