10
Reichstag
If there is a building in Berlin that symbolizes both the
city’s turbulent history and modern resurgence then
it is the Reichstag (Reichstagsgebäude). Completed
in 1894 after ten years of construction, the parliament
building witnessed the birth of German democracy, the
rise of National Socialism and the decay of the Cold
War period.
Severely damaged by a fire in 1933 and almost
completely destroyed during World War II, the building
was partially rebuilt during the 1960s, but remained
largely unused.
It was only with the reunification of East and West
Germany and the restoration of Berlin as the country’s
capital that a complete renovation of the building took
place. The renowned English architect Sir Norman
Foster combined the original historical façade with
modern architectural elements such as the spectacular
glass dome to create a modern seat of democracy for
the German Bundestag (parliament).
[ “Berlin is more a part
of the world than a city.” ]
Jean Paul,
(1800)
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