Palazzo del Reichstag
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The Reichstag building is the seat of the Bundestag, the German parliament. Paul Wallot built it between 1884 and 1894. Norman Foster renovated it and gave it a new glass dome in 1999.
A palace for the new empire
When the German Empire was founded, its parliament had no home. For years it met in temporary buildings.
In 1882 Paul Wallot won the competition for the new building. Work lasted from 1884 to 1894. Wallot mixed elements of the Renaissance, the Baroque and Classicism. At the centre he placed a large dome over the debating chamber, a very modern structure for its time.
Fire, war and division
In February 1933 a fire struck the debating chamber. The Nazis, who had just come to power, used it as an excuse to arrest their opponents. By the end of the Second World War the building was badly damaged.
During the years of division the Reichstag stood in the western half of the city, very close to the border. Between 1961 and 1973 it was rebuilt in a plain style, without a dome. The West German parliament met elsewhere.
The glass dome
After reunification Norman Foster renovated the building. On 19 April 1999 the Bundestag held its first session here.
The dome is made of steel and glass. It brings daylight into the chamber and helps to refresh the air. Two ramps spiral inside it up to a viewing platform. From the roof terrace there is a fine view over the whole city.
