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Reichstag Review

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Reichstag

Address: Pl. der Republik 1, Tiergarten, Berlin
Mailing: Bundeskanzleramt, Besucherdienst, 11012, Berlin, Germany | Map It
Phone: 030/2273-2152; 030/2273-5908 Reichstag
Fax: 030/2273-0027 Reichstag; 030/4000-1881 Bundeskanzleramt
www.bundestag.de

Parliament Building

Category: Government Buildings
Location: Tiergarten and the Government District

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.6/5

Fodor's Review:

After last meeting here in 1933, the Bundestag, Germany's federal parliament, returned to its traditional seat in the spring of 1999. British architect Sir Norman Foster lightened up the gray monolith with a glass dome, which quickly became one of the city's main attractions: you can circle up a gently rising ramp while taking in the rooftops of Berlin and the parliamentary chamber below. At the base of the dome is an exhibit on the Reichstag's history, in German and English. The best way to visit the Reichstag dome without waiting in line is to arrive at 8 AM, or to make a reservation for the pricey rooftop Käfer restaurant (030/2262-9933). Those with reservations can use the doorway to the right of the Reichstag's main staircase. Completed in 1894, the Reichstag housed the imperial German parliament and later served a similar function during the ill-fated Weimar Republic. On the night of February 27, 1933, the Reichstag burned down in an act of arson, a pivotal event in Third Reich history. The fire led to state protection laws that gave the Nazis a pretext to arrest their political opponents. The Reichstag was rebuilt but again badly damaged in 1945. The graffiti of the victorious Russian soldiers can still be seen on some of the walls in the hallways. Tours of the interior are only given to groups who have applied in advance by letter or fax. The building is surrounded by ultramodern new federal government offices, such as the boxy, concrete Bundeskanzleramt (German Federal Chancellery). Built by Axel Schultes, it's one of the few new buildings in the government district by a Berlin architect. Participating in a guided tour of the Chancellery is possible if you apply in writing several weeks prior to a visit. A riverwalk with great views of the government buildings begins behind the Reichstag.

Cost: Free
Open: Daily 8AM-midnight; last admission 10PM. Reichstag dome closes for 1 wk 4 times a yr
Metro: Unter den Linden (S-bahn)

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by yk from Boston on 11/7/09
We had dinner reservation for the rooftop restaurant on our last day in Berlin. The food was good but a bit pricey. When we were done, it was 10:30pm and the dome itself was pretty much deserted. While the night view of Berlin isn't stunning, it was very nice to enjoy the space without rubbing elbows with others.