The Iconic Reichstag is Amazing

Any visit to Berlin is perhaps incomplete without a visit to the Reichstag -- the seat of German government. The grand Reichstag towers in the heart of Berlin city and is located just at a 10 minutes walking distance from the Berlin Hauftbanhof (Main Railway Station). Over the years this grand structure has been central to several historical events, including the coming to power of the Nazis and Hitler.

As you stand in the front in the vast open fields leading to the Reichstag you are overwhelmed with anxiety. The grand building weighs down on you by its sheer humoungous size that confers it a certain strength and character, and life.

Almost everyday the Reichstag is visited by more than 3000 people from across the world. Everyday a long queue of visitors stand outside waiting for their turn to enter the building. The gate opens every half an hour and lets in hundreds of visitors, after going through a rigourous security procedure.

Once inside, visitors are led by security people to a huge lift that takes them to the top floor of the Reichstag that has a glass dome. Visitors are handed small mobile like devices with earphones that can be played to learn more about the history of the Reichstag. Inside the dome there are walkways where visitors can walk and go to the top inside the dome. All along they can plug in the electronic device and learn about the history of Reichstag.

The glass dome is an architectural marvel. As you walk inside the glass dome you find a glass tower in the center that is encircled by a gallery displaying photographs of the Reichstag and the historical events surrounding it. There are pictures of the Reichstag up in flames, an event that is believed to have given Adolf Hitler the opportunity to pass a resolution and capture absolute power in Germany.

Towards the back of the Reichstag is a river where visitors can enjoy a ride in open ferries. On the right of the Reichstag, just about 100 meters is the Brandebury Tor (Gate) that is one of the other most important and iconic places of German history.

Here are some photographs of the Reichstag that I experienced:

 The Glass Pillar in the center of the Glass Dome	 The walkways inside the Glass Dome in the Reichstag
The Glass Dome as seem from outside. The dome is visible on top of the Reichstag when seen from afar	 The functional wings of the German Government as seen from the roof of the Reichstag 
The backside of the Reichstag that displays the flags of German and the European Union	 The Waterway that touches the reichstag from the back