The Reichstag (Reichstagsgebäude), built from 1884 to 1894 by the architect Paul Wallot, has housed the Bundestag, the German parliament, since 1999. Burned in February 1933, devastated in 1945 and wrapped by the artist Christo in 1995, it was remodelled by Norman Foster, who topped it with a glass and steel dome 40 m in diameter. The dome and roof terrace can be visited free of charge every day, but only after registering in advance with the Bundestag Visitors' Service. Official photo ID is required at the entrance.
Highlights
The dome and its cone of mirrors
Two spiral ramps, 230 metres long, climb to the top of the 23.5 m-high dome. In the centre, a cone covered with mirrors reflects daylight down into the plenary chamber, which you can glimpse below. A free 20-minute audio guide, available in 12 languages including English, describes the building and the sights you see on the way up.
The roof terrace
Around the dome, the terrace gives a clear view over the government district, the Chancellery, the Tiergarten and the [Brandenburg Gate](/fr/attractions/porte-de-brandebourg). It stays open when the dome is closed for maintenance.
The west façade
The inscription "Dem Deutschen Volke" ("To the German People") was added to the pediment in 1916. On 9 November 1918 the Social Democrat Philipp Scheidemann proclaimed the Republic from a balcony of this portal.
The rooftop restaurant
The Käfer restaurant, on the roof east of the dome, is open every day by reservation only. Guests with a table booking reach it through the entrance below and to the right of the West Portal (entrance West C).
Infos pratiques
Tips
Registration is made through the Bundestag website, by online form, fax or post, but not by phone. You must give the surname, first name and date of birth of every visitor. Requests can only cover the current month and the following month; book as early as possible, as places are limited and a visit is never guaranteed, even once confirmed, if there is a sitting or a special event. Without a booking, go to the Visitors' Service desk on Platz der Republik in front of the building: if places remain, it issues slots starting at least two hours later or for the next two days. The desk is open 8:00-20:00 from April to October and 8:00-18:00 from November to March, 10:00-18:00 at weekends. From the age of 16, every visitor must show the original of a valid identity card or passport, both at the desk and at the entrance; copies are refused. At the visitors' entrance, level with the West Portal, bags go through an X-ray scanner and visitors through a metal detector. Large luggage is not allowed and there is no left-luggage facility on site.
How to get there
Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin (Mitte district). U-Bahn U5: Bundestag station, about 200 m away. S-Bahn S1, S2, S25 and S26 and U-Bahn U5: S+U Brandenburger Tor station, about 500 m away. Bus 100: Reichstag/Bundestag stop, in front of the building. The [Brandenburg Gate](/fr/attractions/porte-de-brandebourg) is about 5 minutes' walk to the south.
Opening hours
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