.All Trips / Europe / Germany

A Visit to Berlin’s famous Reichstag (Reichstagsgebäude)

01 Reichstag exterior

A Brief History of the Reichstag

When Germany first unified in the late 19th century, the need for a parliament building was apparent and a competition for the best design was held.  The winning entry for the Reichstag building was from Paul Wallot (there were 183 entries), and his beautifully designed building was completed in 1894.  It featured a neo-renaissance style with a grand classic entrance including columns and a broad staircase.  There was a crown atop of the building’s steel dome.  The famous inscription, ‘Dem Deutschen Volke’ (To the German People), was added in 1916 by Emperor William II.

The building was severely damaged by a fire in 1933, seen as an opportunity Hitler who used the incident to blame the …

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