In a desperate bid to stave off cabin fever, we’ve just returned from a scheduled walk in gumboots up to the shops and back. There were quite a few decent puddles to stomp through as well which was a bonus.
One of the surprise highlights of Berlin was our visit to the Reichstag Building which houses the German Bundestag.
As with all houses of parliament, security is intense but it was also friendly and well organized. I have my friend to thank for booking our guided tour well in advance. You can use this website which is very informative. The tours (guided and audio tour of the dome) are both free and in my opinion excellent.
The Reichstag was used from 1894 until 1933 to house the Diet. The building was set on fire at about this time and fell into decay and disuse. From that time, the parliament of the German Democratic Republic sat in East Berlin while that of the Federal Republic (Bundestag) sat in the Bundeshaus in Bonn.
After reunification, the Reichstag Building was restored and reconstructed by the architect Norman Foster. The Reichstag reopened as the location for the meetings of the modern Bundestag in 1999.
If you look out from the windows of the Reichstag you can see pavement squares which mark where parts of the Berlin Wall were.
Our guided tour was a comprehensive look at both the history of Germany’s parliamentary system as well as an insight into how sittings are conducted in the modern era.
The buildings themselves are simple and let in lots of natural light while still retaining some of the historical elements of the original Reichstag.
The mechanics of the dome are complex and besides being visually stunning, its mirrors and windows also serve to create energy from the elements.
A gently sloping walkway hugs the inside of the dome.
It was a very informative and enjoyable way to learn about the German parliamentary process. We had such a tight sightseeing schedule that I’m glad that I decided to walk the dome of the Reichstag rather than trying to battle the crowds for the view from the top of the TV Tower.