Reichstag

This week I paid a visit to the Reichstag Building, the seat of the German Parliament (the Bundestag). I have mentioned the building here before: it is near the Brandenburg Gate and is an old-looking building but topped with a very modern glass dome.

The Reichstag from the River Spree

The dome itself was in fact my destination: if you book in advance, you can go up inside it for free. Last week, I had applied through their website and was allocated a time slot. In order to access the building, stringent, airport-style security checks are in place. In fact, it felt the closest to going on holiday it's possible to be whilst only travelling a relatively short distance off the ground. On arrival I had to show my passport as proof of ID and my name was checked off the list. My bag and coat were then sent through a scanning system identical to those in airports and I also had to walk through metal detecting gates. All perfectly understandable. Once through security, we waited until a big enough group had gathered, and the next person led us from this outside hut, across the front of the building and up the wide steps at its front.

The front of the Reichstag

We were held there at a door until yet another member of the staff relay team allowed us through inside the huge interior space of the lobby. At the far end, through a large glass wall, blue seats were visible where the members of parliament sit ('Reichstag blue', in fact - the colour was especially designed for this purpose). Although from the outside, the building looks as historic as the British Houses of Parliament, inside it is airy, modern and thoroughly built for purpose. This is in fact the work of a British architect, who preserved the shell of the building whilst kitting out its innards in an up-to-date and functional style.

Our stay in the foyer is short lived, however, as we are ushered over to a large lift with glass doors, capable of cramming large groups inside. An attendant presses the relevant button and we are swept upwards, past glass-fronted upper levels towards the roof terrace. On release, we are encouraged to collect a complementary audio guide, available in numerous languages, before we are finally free to enter the glass dome ahead and explore it at our own pace.

The dome sits above the plenary chamber where debates are held, partly for practical reasons, to allow natural light inside, but also partly for a more philosophical ethos; the Germans value the openness of their democratic system and want the public to feel involved in the decisions that are made there. This principle is taken further by them also allowing the public to sit in on debates: a visitors' gallery seating area is incorporated into the chamber itself.

Even on the very darkly grey day I visited, the dome was bright and open, looking up into the huge sky above. The central column is studded with mirrors, making the space seem even wider and, at some angles, reflecting images of those sitting in the chamber below.

The walkway up to the top wraps itself round the edge, with the way down in between, double helix style. Visitors are encouraged to start their audio guide when beginning their ascent, and an informative commentary is played, providing facts about the Reichstag and Bundestag, as well as, when the higher levels are reached, the landmarks that can be seen from the view outside. As Berlin is a very flat city, the dome is rather a high point, literally, and so virtually all of the city can be seen from up there.

The vast Tiergarten in its winter coat

The Brandenburg Gate and, just above it, the memorial to the murdered Jews is visible - the area covered with grey columns

Friedrichstrasse Station straddling the River Spree. On the far left, the gold dome of the 'New Synagogue' - this is right near my flat. On the far right, the Berlin Cathedral and of course TV Tower rising above all else.

There is a platform at the very top, but, of course, since we have moved inwards towards the apex, the view from here is not as good as it was on the way up. Thus, I continued my journey down again, and this time my eyes were drawn downwards, through the centre and into the chamber below. It was difficult to make out, due to the reflections from the white sky above, but the blue seats were indeed discernible from there and I could make out people inside (although whether these were polticians or members of the public I couldn't say!)

I can see you!

Back down at the bottom, it is possible to walk outside of the dome onto the roof itself (where, conveniently, there is also a cafe!). I had a quick wander around but it was blowing a freezing gale so I didn't linger!

The dome from the roof terrace

Retreating inside, I joined the queue to be ushered again, step by step, back out the way we had come. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip. Definitely a good place to take visitors, so if you're planning to visit me... sorry for the spoilers?!




* Various facts and figures in this post taken from the handy free booklet 'Facts: The Bundestag at a glance' I picked up inside.