Seat of the German Parliament, the Reichstag is one of the most famous and imposing buildings in Berlin. The original version, built in the 1880s, was topped with a stone dome. But that, along with the rest of the building, was damaged by fire and war. When it was restored in the 1960s they left out the dome, but 30 years later architect Sir Norman Foster designed a space-age glass version to top the building. Made of glass and mirrors, it looks like a location from a sci-fi film. Walkways spiral around the edge of the dome and in the centre is an upside-down pyramid which points down into the parliament hall below. It’s all very eco-friendly – the mirrors light up the rooms below and rainwater gets collected at the top. There’s a great view of the city whenever you visit, but at night it looks even more futuristic as it glows in the light.
The details
It’s free to visit the Reichstag dome, but you need you book in advance. You can register at the Bundestag website, where you can choose a date and time. You need to give the full name and date of birth of everyone in your group and take your passports with you. If you don’t want to book online there’s an office on Scheidemannstraße near the Reichstag where you can register in person, but only for slots at least two hours ahead and not more than two days ahead. The dome is normally open daily from 8am to midnight (last admission at 10pm) but is sometimes closed in bad weather or when parliament is sitting.
Uptourist
Tuesday 24th of March 2015
So beautiful. Who would have thought that it would transform like that at night. I am sure most of us have seen it by day. But the view at night is beautiful.
Lucy
Thursday 26th of March 2015
I loved the way it was all lit up – very cleverly done and it did make it look like a totally different place!
msanthea2
Saturday 28th of February 2015
Lovely photos...! The significance of the glass dome and mirrors was once explained to me as being symbolic: the government and lawmaking should be transparent to the people, keeping government open. Germany is a very interesting place, and Berlin in particular a great place to visit and you've captured the Reichstag interior quite nicely...
Lucy
Tuesday 3rd of March 2015
Thanks, and how interesting to find out about the symbolism behind it. With the glass roof down into the chamber it was a lot more open than any other parliament I've seen.
Maddie
Saturday 28th of February 2015
You're making me rally want to visit Berlin!! I love architecture where people have the talent to blend old and cutting edge so it looks beautiful, this looks like my sort of building.
Lucy
Tuesday 3rd of March 2015
Me too, it actually fit together really well too, despite being such a contrast between the old and new sections. I think it was a bit controversial to start with but people have grown to love it!
Where's Zoe Now?
Friday 27th of February 2015
Aaah this is not helping my current "I really want to visit Berlin" obsession! :D
Lucy
Tuesday 3rd of March 2015
Haha, sorry about that (though you should definitely go!!).
Emily Ray
Friday 27th of February 2015
This was one of my favourite places on my Berlin trip. My photos are nowhere near as beautiful as yours though!
Lucy
Friday 27th of February 2015
Thanks Emily, I do love some moody night shots, and the whole futuristic design made it really interesting!