Reichstag Evening II
Early evening at the Reichstag.
The Reichstag – home to the German Parliament – is one of the most famous buildings in Berlin and the site of several historically significant events.
Built in the 19th century to house the parliament answerable to the Kaiser, it was from here that the German Republic was declared in 1918. The republic lasted just 14 years before the Nazis claimed power.
The Reichstag – the parliament which operates from the building is known as the Bundestag – was gutted by fire in 1933, an event blamed on the Communists and used by the Nazis as an excuse to suspend civil rights and take dictatorial control of Germany.
The building stood half-destroyed for many years, the Allies flying the Soviet flag from its roof as they battled to take control of Berlin in 1945 and only by 1971 was restoration work carried out.
For years, the Reichstag – which stood right on the border of East and West Berlin – was home to a museum and only in 1990 after the reunification of Germany, was it decided it should house the country’s parliament once more.
Reconstruction – including the building of a large glass dome on the roof – was overseen by architect Sir Norman Foster and was completed in 1999. Since then, parliament has sat within and tourists have flocked to the dome and the roof terrace above for views of the city and down into the chambers below.
Reichstag Evening II
Early evening at the Reichstag.
The Reichstag – home to the German Parliament – is one of the most famous buildings in Berlin and the site of several historically significant events.
Built in the 19th century to house the parliament answerable to the Kaiser, it was from here that the German Republic was declared in 1918. The republic lasted just 14 years before the Nazis claimed power.
The Reichstag – the parliament which operates from the building is known as the Bundestag – was gutted by fire in 1933, an event blamed on the Communists and used by the Nazis as an excuse to suspend civil rights and take dictatorial control of Germany.
The building stood half-destroyed for many years, the Allies flying the Soviet flag from its roof as they battled to take control of Berlin in 1945 and only by 1971 was restoration work carried out.
For years, the Reichstag – which stood right on the border of East and West Berlin – was home to a museum and only in 1990 after the reunification of Germany, was it decided it should house the country’s parliament once more.
Reconstruction – including the building of a large glass dome on the roof – was overseen by architect Sir Norman Foster and was completed in 1999. Since then, parliament has sat within and tourists have flocked to the dome and the roof terrace above for views of the city and down into the chambers below.