The Reichstag building which has the words “Dem Deutschen Volke” (“To [or “For”] The German People”) engraved across the front has been an important part of German history for the past 100 years. Construction was completed in 1894 to house the German parliament and was famously (and arguably) set on fire in 1933 by Marinus van der Lubbe. The latest controversy about the Reichstag building was during the 1990s when a large glass dome (you can see in the picture) was erected atop the building. The dome gives visitors a 360 degree view of Berlin.
The Reichstag is a short walk away from Berlin’s Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof) which catches the color from sunsets rather nicely, much like the Brandenburg Gate. Entry to the Reichstag, which is open until midnight, is free. You can see some of my other pictures from Berlin at sunset here.
What a magnificent building! I loved the alternate pics of Berlin. I had never thought of Berlin as being a beautiful city- somehow the two thoughts never seemed to coincide- but these pictures brought out the beauty.
It’s funny, the previous times I had been to Berlin, I didn’t really enjoy it. This time though its beauty came out and the Kreuzberg area really sealed it for me…very international part of town and excellent food.
Impressive building and you’ve captured it so well!
I’ve been a lot around in Germany, but never in Berlin. You’ve given another good reason to go there 🙂
Thanks Renny, I’ll have to give the sun most of the credit on this one. I love that entry is free too, who can argue with that price!
What a great picture. The building looks beautiful, I wonder what it looks like on the inside!
That dome looks out of place up close but the view must be spectacular from it. Guess that makes up for the slightly out of place design.
The great thing about the Reichstag dome is that you get a FREE audio guide which points out landmarks and explains their history on the walk up the spiral walkway to the top of the glass dome. The wait in line to pass through security can be a little long — usually an hour — so go early.
Very cool, quite a tourist friendly place to see. Wonder if the lines are much shorter closer to 10pm (last time to be admitted).
We hoped to get up the Reichstag dome when we visited last spring but were defeated by the crowds. Unfortunately, unless you’re there when it opens around 8am the lines can be around 2 hrs long although I think that families can jump the queue. http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/friday-photo-the-queue-for-the-view-at-the-reichstag-in-berlin/
The lines were pretty long last week as well. I wonder if getting there close to 10pm would make things a bit easier. I did read though that you can make reservations ahead of time as well.
The Reichstag is Berlin is such a beautiful building. I hope to see it in person eventually. It reminds me a bit of “Riksdagen” in Stockholm.
It’s a very imposing building, it just shouts ‘power’ when you see it. Unfortunately I missed the Riksdagen last time I was in Stockholm, looks lovely in pictures though by the water 🙂