Reichstag building Facts for Kids

This page is about the building in Berlin, Germany. For other uses, see Reichstag.

Quick facts for kids Reichstag
The dedication Dem deutschen Volke, meaning To the German people, can be seen on the frieze above the entrance.
General information
Address	Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
Town or city	Berlin
Country	Germany
Coordinates	52°31′07″N 13°22′34″E / 52.51861°N 13.37611°E / 52.51861; 13.37611
Current tenants	Bundestag
Construction started	9 June 1884
Completed	1894
Renovated	1934–1937, 1961–1964, 1992–1999
Height	47 m (154 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	6
Floor area	61,166 m² (658,390 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Paul Wallot
Renovating team
Architect	Norman Foster

The Reichstag is a very important building in Berlin, Germany. It's where the Bundestag, which is the German parliament, meets. Think of it as Germany's version of a capitol building where elected officials make laws.

This beautiful building was finished in 1894. It was designed by an architect named Paul Wallot. Over the years, the Reichstag has seen many big moments in German history. It was damaged in a fire in 1933 and again during World War II.

After Germany was reunified, the building was completely updated by Norman Foster. It reopened in 1999. Today, it's famous for its amazing glass dome. This dome lets visitors see the city and even look down into the parliament's meeting room. The Reichstag is now one of Germany's most popular places to visit!

What's in a Name?
A Look Back at History
The Famous Glass Dome
See also

What's in a Name?

The word Reichstag used to mean a special meeting or "diet" of leaders. This name goes way back to the Holy Roman Empire. The building was built for the parliament of the German Empire, which was also called the Reichstag.

After World War II, German parliaments stopped using the name Reichstag for their meetings. Now, when people say Reichstag, they usually mean the building itself. The current German parliament is called the Bundestag, which means "Federal Diet."

A Look Back at History

Building the Reichstag

Germany became one united country in 1871. For many years, the parliament met in a different building. People wanted a grand new home for their government. So, in 1882, a competition was held to find the best design.

Paul Wallot, an architect from Frankfurt, won the competition. His design was inspired by a building in Philadelphia, USA. Wallot added crowns and eagles to the building to show the strength of the German Empire. The four corner towers represented the four main German kingdoms at the time.

Construction started in 1884 and finished in 1894. The building was admired for its unique steel and glass dome. This dome was a big engineering achievement for its time.

In 1916, a famous phrase was added above the main entrance: Dem deutschen Volke. This means "To the German People." This message showed that the building belonged to everyone. In 1918, a German republic was announced from one of the Reichstag's balconies. The building then became the home of the parliament for the new Weimar Republic.

The Königsplatz in 1880, before the Reichstag was built.
The Reichstag building around 1900.
The Reichstag building with the Bismarck Memorial, around 1900.
The Reichstag building during a constitution celebration in 1932.

The Fire and War Years

On February 27, 1933, a terrible fire broke out in the Reichstag building. Much of the building was destroyed. This event was used by the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler to claim that his political opponents were planning against the government.

After the fire, the Reichstag building was not used for parliament meetings for many years. Instead, the parliament met in a nearby opera house. The Reichstag building was used for political displays and later as a hospital during World War II. During the Battle of Berlin in 1945, the building was heavily damaged. It became a key target for soldiers because of its important meaning.

The Reichstag building on fire in 1933.
A famous photo of a flag being raised over the Reichstag in 1945.
Graffiti left by Soviet soldiers on the walls in 1945.
The Reichstag building in ruins after World War II.

During the Cold War

The Reichstag building in 1970, before its big reconstruction. The dome was still missing.

After World War II, Germany was divided into East and West. The Reichstag building was in West Berlin and was still in ruins. In 1956, the West German government decided to restore the building instead of tearing it down.

The original dome, which was also badly damaged, was removed. The outside of the building was made simpler. This restoration work took place from 1961 to 1971. Because Berlin was divided, the West German parliament could not officially meet in the Reichstag. So, the building was used for special events and exhibitions about German history.

Germany Reunites

Germany became one country again on October 3, 1990. The official ceremony for this German reunification was held at the Reichstag building. The next day, the parliament of the united Germany met there as a symbolic act.

After much discussion, it was decided that the government and parliament would move back to Berlin. In 1995, the Reichstag building was wrapped in fabric by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. This art project attracted millions of visitors from all over the world.

Then, a major reconstruction began. The inside of the building was almost completely redone. Architects made sure to keep some historical marks, like bullet holes from the war, visible. The new Reichstag, with its amazing glass dome, was finished in 1999. The German parliament officially started meeting there on April 19, 1999.

The Reichstag building during the German reunification ceremony in 1990.
The Reichstag covered in scaffolding during its reconstruction in 1998.
The Reichstag building in 2017, after its reconstruction.
The Reichstag viewed from the Spree River in 2024.

The Famous Glass Dome

The Reichstag's most famous feature is its large glass dome. It sits right on top of the building. From inside the dome, you get a fantastic 360-degree view of Berlin. You can also look down into the main meeting room of the parliament.

The dome is designed to let natural light shine down into the parliament chamber. It also has a special sun shield that moves electronically. This shield blocks direct sunlight to keep the room below from getting too hot or too bright. The dome was completed in 1999. Today, visitors can go inside the dome, but you usually need to register in advance.