Reichstag

The Reichstag is another most beautiful historical site in Germany, having stood quite witness to the violent history of not only Berlin but Germany as a whole. It also serves as the seat of the German parliament.

It was built to host the German Empire's Imperial Diet (German: Reichstag). It was built in 1894 and served as the home of the Diet until 1933 when it was badly destroyed by fire. The building was decommissioned after WWII, and the German Democratic Republic's parliament (the Volkskammer) met in the Palast der Republik in East Berlin, while the Federal Republic of Germany's parliament (the Bundestag) met in the Bundeshaus in Bonn.

The Reichstag's huge glass dome provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding Berlin cityscape. The parliament's main hall (debating chamber) is visible from inside the dome, and natural light from above filters down to the parliament floor. A big sun shield electronically tracks the sun's movement and prevents direct sunlight, which would not only produce excessive solar gain but also dazzle people below. The construction was completed in 1999, and the Bundestag took over as the seat of parliament in April of that year. Visitors must register in advance to enter the dome.

Location: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin