Sir Norman Foster's striking glass cupola atop the Reichstag (German Parliament) draws architecture lovers to Tiergarten. A lift races up to the crystalline dome, where a mirrored funnel creates optical illusions and a viewing platform shrinks Berlin to toytown scale.
Built in 1884-1894 by Paul Wallot, the Reichstag mirrors the turbulent German history of the past 100 years. The building was erected to represent the newly founded German Reich and received its famous inscription "To The German People" in 1916. It also witnessed the transformation of the monarchy to the German Republic in 1918. In 1933, a huge fire - whose cause has never been clarified - partly destroyed the building and was used by the Nazis as a reason to persecute their political enemies.
Rebuilt between 1961 and 1971, the building regained its old significance with the unification of Germany and Berlin's role as the new capital. Architect Sir Norman Forster was commissioned to refurbish the Reichstag and created the glass dome in the style of its historical predecessor.
Rebuilt between 1961 and 1971, the building regained its old significance with the unification of Germany and Berlin's role as the new capital. Architect Sir Norman Forster was commissioned to refurbish the Reichstag and created the glass dome in the style of its historical predecessor.
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