Explore the Reichstag's Eventful History During Your Berlin Stay

A Riveting History

The historic Reichstag building was constructed to house the Imperial Diet of Germany. When it opened in 1894, Kaiser Wilhem II was unhappy to see that the structure towered over his own City Castle. He discredited the architect and called the building 'Reich’s Monkey House'. Nevertheless, it housed the Diet until 1933, when it was ravaged by a mysterious great fire. The building eventually fell into a state of disrepair until the Reunification of Germany in 1990, when architect Norman Foster won a contest to help reconstruct the Reichstag of old. After a stellar reconstruction job and the addition of Foster's glass dome, the Reichstag regained its lost glory by once again becoming the meeting place of the German Parliament.

Legacy of the Dome

The colossal glass dome that sits atop the Reichstag offers a 360-degree view of Berlin's splendid skyline. It is also possible to look down from the dome into the main hall of the parliament below. This element of the dome's design signifies the notion that the people are above parliament and the government works for the people, an important principle given Germany's turbulent recent history.

Getting Around

The Reichstag's central location makes it easy to get to; Bundestag is the nearest underground stop. Nearby attractions include the River Spree and Unter den Linden. An audio guide tour provides information on the building's history as well as various iconic Berlin monuments visible from the dome. It's also possible to wander on the roof outside the glass dome. The tour is free but has to be booked weeks in advance as spaces fill up quickly. As security is tight, make sure to take your passport or photo id along. Don't miss the bullet marks still visible in the building's brickwork.

Planning your trip to Berlin? Check out our favorite downtown hotels in Berlin.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.