Reichstag with the inscription 'Dem Deutschen Volke' | Unsplash: Rasmus Gundorff SæderupGeneral Information
The Reichstag bore witness to numerous historical events such as the reunification of Germany in 1990. In the middle of the building is the plenary hall, where the German Bundestag meets. The sessions are open to the public. The seat distribution in the Bundestag plenum reflects the result of the last federal election.
The dome of the Reichstag from inside | Unsplash: Ricardo Gomez AngelArchitecture through the Ages
The Reichstag building was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style by architect Paul Wallot. The Reichstag in Berlin was built between 1884 and 1894 and originally served as the seat of the German parliament. After a devastating fire in 1933, which accelerated the rise of the National Socialists, the building was heavily damaged during World War II. During the division of Germany, it was located in the western part of Berlin and was largely unused. Until 1991, the building was only occasionally used for exhibitions. After the reunification in 1990, the Reichstag underwent extensive renovations and was reopened in 1999 as the seat of the German Bundestag. The British architect Sir Norman Foster won the international architectural competition with his modern design including a glass dome, which also became the building's landmark.Reichstag Wrapped
The vision of the 'Wrapped Reichstag' by the artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude became reality from June 24 to July 7, 1995: The building was wrapped in gleaming silver fabric and tied with blue ropes. The Reichstag building was turned into a work of art and simultaneously became an attraction for five million people in just two weeks. The event received worldwide media attention and made the Reichstag known internationally.Visitor Magnet Glass Dome
The highlight of the building is the glass dome, which offers a breathtaking panoramic view over Berlin. The dome is publicly accessible from the rooftop terrace via a ramp. This is accessed by two elevators via the West Portal. At a height of 24m (78,8ft), there is the gourmet restaurant Käfer. In the upper part of the dome, at a height of 40m (131ft), there is a large viewing platform, which can be reached via two spiral ramps going in opposite directions.New BIZ by 2029
The erection of a new Visitor and Information Centre (BIZ) is intended to replace the provisional security control building at Platz der Republik. The construction of the new entrance is planned for 2025, with completion in 2029. Visitors who wish to visit the Reichstag dome or the BIZ can register directly at an external counter in the future and receive a free, personalized, and time-related access authorization. Furthermore, rooms for seminar and discussion events, as well as gastronomic offerings for guests, will be set up in the BIZ.