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Bundestag, Reichstag

- 'vom Deutschem Volke'

by erato 

(about Berlin, Germany, added on Apr 30, 2009)

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Berlin – Bundestag/Reichstag

The Bundestag is the national parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany. The name Bundestag refers to the institution while the name Reichstag is used for the building. The architect of the original building was Paul Wallot. The foundation was laid by Wilhelm I. in 1884 and the building was opened in 1894. The building was most acclaimed for the original cupola of steel and glass, an architectural masterpiece in that time. In 1916 the inscription “Dem Deutschen Volke” ( To German People) was engraved into the facade of the building intending to assert the values of parliamentary democracy. Ironically, the inscription was produced by a successful Jewish company. After a fire in 1933 and then further damages of air raid, when the original cupola was damaged, the building with a new cupola was reconstructed in 1961-1964 by Paul Baumgarten.

In the last years the German Bundestag became a major attraction for visitors. The visitors can tour the buildings, listen to talks and attend plenary settings – for free. Of course all these after a serious security test on the first floor that includes body search and metal detector search. On the down floor one can see a permanent historical exposition, the issues of the old newspapers about significant events and the names of famous visitors. There is a roof garden restaurant with an amazing view across historic Berlin. The roof terrace and the dome offer a wonderful view of the parliamentary quarter of Berlin, here my advice is to visit in the evening and you can make beautiful photos while walking in the roof garden. This is the only parliament in Europe where the entrance is free and there is daily access from 08:00 to 24:00. We had to wait two hours to get in because there are so many visitors, but it’s worth the time we spent in the queue. Actually I think it was even better to see the view of Berlin from the top of Bundestag at night.

The Bundestag is the heart of Germany and I found it impressive to visit such a wonderful building as well as to listen to a real parliamentary setting.

Start from beginning | 1 - 4          Journal overview

1. Aug 19, 2007 Bundestag, Reichstag (Berlin)  ( 22)
2. Aug 19, 2007 free Berlin sights you shouldn’t miss (Berlin)  ( 80)
3. Aug 20, 2007 Berlin sights for a limited budget (Berlin)  ( 30)
4. Aug 21, 2007 Potsdam, Residence of Prussian kings (Potsdam)  ( 116)

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