A symbol of the country’s reunification, the imposing Reichstag building reopened its doors in April 1999, following restructuring work entrusted to the renowned British architect Norman Foster. Now topped by a dazzling glass and steel dome, it once again plays its role as the seat of the German parliament, the Bundestag. Through its architecture and transparency, it expresses the political world’s desire to open up to its citizens, as well as the dialogue that has become possible in Germany between past and present.
Imperial Germany had already been unified for over 20 years when, in 1894, construction of the Parliament building was finally completed. Emperor Wilhelm II, who did not favor parliamentary democracy, had insisted that every detail of the design be submitted to him.
Even so, once finished, the grand neo-Renaissance edifice found no favor in his eyes. The sovereign saw it as “the height of bad taste” and, referring to the activity that took place there, called it a “menagerie”. The Reichstag had its revenge, for it was from here that the end of the Hohenzollern dynasty was announced in November 1918, and the German Republic was proclaimed.
On February 27, 1933, the building was set on fire and partially destroyed. A mentally ill Communist of Dutch origin was found responsible and sentenced to death. In reality, it is likely that the real perpetrators were Nazi agents. In any case, the Reichstag fire served as a pretext for Hitler to terrorize and imprison his opponents, many of whom were members of parliament.
When the Red Army entered Berlin in April 1945, the last German units entrenched themselves in the Reichstag, whose walls were able to withstand conventional artillery fire. The fortress was stormed on April 30, and the photograph of Russian soldiers raising the red flag over the gaping dome is one of the most famous of the Second World War.
In the post-war years, the square in front of the ruined Reichstag served as a rallying point for numerous demonstrations. When, in 1948, the blockade of Berlin was announced by the Soviets, it was here that crowds gathered to listen to the mayor, Ernst Reuter, make his vibrant appeal to the free world: “See this city [Schaut auf diese Stadt] and understand that you cannot and must not abandon it!” Berlin was not abandoned, but the construction of the Wall in 1961 cut off the Reichstag from the central districts.
After the building’s interior was refurbished in the 1970s, the Soviet government pressured the West German authorities not to hold there. Instead, a permanent exhibition on German history was installed, which is a must for school groups from the West.
After reunification, many people spoke out against moving the seat of government from Bonn to Berlin. In the minds of many Germans, the Reichstag building was too vivid a reminder of the darker aspects of the country’s history. In 1995, the wrapping of the monument in silver plastic sheeting – by Bulgarian artist Christo – helped change Berliners’ perception of it.
The building has been skilfully cleaned and restructured by Norman Foster. The large glass dome is reminiscent of the original, while expressing the city’s architectural renewal.
As the Reichstag is very popular with visitors, it’s advisable to arrive early to avoid the queue. An elevator leads to the panoramic terrace inside the dome. Climbing up the spiral ramp to the platform, you can both watch the deputies in the hemicycle and admire the whole of Berlin.
The motto “To the German people”
The Reichstag columns
Le Reichstag abrite le Bundestag
German and European flags fly over the Reichstag Palace
« Goering had found an excellent pretext for attacking the Communists, which is why many believe that the Reichstag fire was in fact organized and perpetrated by the Nazis themselves. »Alan Bullock
While Norman Foster has breathed new life into an old building, Berlin architects Charlotte Frank and Axel Schultes have completely redesigned the surrounding area to provide a modern setting for government institutions.
A row of brand-new buildings designed to house members of parliament and government officials cuts across the Spreebogen (Spree bend), valiantly crossing the river to end its course in what was once East Berlin. The most striking building is the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramt), where Gerhard Schröder has been resident since 2001.
Further to the west of the Reichstag, the riverbed of the Spree has been shifted to allow construction of the future central station, designed to absorb the increase in traffic. Commuter trains, long-distance trains and U-Bahn (subway) trains will cross each other on three levels; four rail tunnels will be doubled by a road tunnel following a north-south axis, which will emerge to the south of the new architectural complex in the Potsdamer Platz district.
16 September 2016
A symbol of the country’s reunification, the Reichstag reopened its doors in 1999, following restructuring work by architect Norman Foster. Now topped by a dazzling glass and steel dome, it once again plays its role as the seat of the German parliament, the Bundestag.
23 June 2018
Peaceful countryside, battlefield sites, natural sights and, above all, an incomparable succession of historic towns: the Romantische Strasse, which stretches 350 km from Würzburg in the Main valley to Füssen in the Alps, is Germany’s most popular tourist route.
25 September 2016
From 1961 to 1990, Western visitors wishing to spend a day in East Berlin had to show their credentials at Checkpoint Charlie, an American checkpoint. Today, a replica can be seen on this link, preceded by the famous sign: “You are leaving the American sector”.
