reichstag

The Reichstag building (German: Reichstagsgeb äude; officially: Plenarbereich Reichstagsgebäude) is a historical edifice in Berlin, Germany, constructed to house the Reichstag, parliament of the German Empire. It was opened in 1894 and housed the Reichstag until 1933, when it was severely damaged in a fire. After World War II, the building fell into disuse, since parliament of the German Democratic Republic met in the Palace of the Republic in East Berlin and the parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany met in the Bundeshaus in Bonn. The ruined building was made safe against the elements and partially refurbished in the 1960s, but no attempt at full restoration was made until after German reunification on October 3, 1990, when it underwent a reconstruction led by internationally renowned architect Norman Foster. After its completion in 1999, it once again became the meeting place of the German parliament: the modern Bundestag.

With the hostel a five-minute walk to the Brandenburg gate, every morning we would walk the same route past the Reichstag to the main tube line. Everyday I would take a photo, each equally impressive and by the end of the trip one of my aims was to go to the top. TIP: book the Reichstag before you head to it to ensure a place up to the dome, it gets very busy and is one of the top tourist attractions in Berlin and offers free admission to concessions so remember that student card. After a long wait in the security queue and getting everything passed through the ex-ray machines you go into a lift with a small group and arrive in the dome overlooking the whole of Berlin. An incredible view is even more amplified at the top of the Reichstag where the centre spirals into a path to the top. Very high… you have been warned but an incredible panoramic view. A lot of history in this building and tour guides and information panels tell you all you need to know.