The Reichstag: Long queues... for some. (Reichstag - Berlin)

Member Name: Penguin_Cube

Product:	Reichstag - Berlin
Date:	06/11/09 (51 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 360 degree panoramic view of the Berlin Skyline, FREE!

Disadvantages: Long queues if you do not book a table in the café.

Ahhh the Reichstag, I remember fighting my way up it and placing my Russian Flag on the top. Oh well, although I saw the Reichstag at the end of Call of Duty World at War, I had never seen it in that scary place called real life, until a week or so ago.

Before I even went to Berlin I knew that I wanted to go up into the dome on the top of the Reichstag. After the Reichstag suffered damage it was only partially repaired and refurbished. It was not until the reunification of Germany that the famous architect Sir Norman Foster designed the dome that we see now. The dome, although causing controversy at the time, is now what draws tourists to this historic building. NOTE: This review will mostly focus on the dome itself, you can do a more thorough tour, but visiting the dome is the most common way of 'visiting the Reichstag'.

After queuing for a while you will eventually make it to the main doors in which you will not have to buy any tickets because the German Taxpayer pays for you instead. Inside you will go through security in which is much like airport security. Then you will queue for a tiny bit longer to enter the rather large lifts. Once the small lift 'journey' is over you can queue again for the optional audio guides.

As you enter the dome you will see a large cone of mirrors with glass below. These mirrors provide light for the room below containing purple seats, which is where the German Parliament resides. There is also a large 'shield', which I thought was decorative, but after further investigation moves automatically to block out the sun if it is too strong, as to not blind the German politicians. Around the glass in the middle of the dome in which you can see the purple seats, there is a display of text and picture of the Reichstag through the ages.

Also inside the dome is a small stall-vendor who sells soft drinks and snacks. Just in case you are feeling hungry/thirsty after all that sightseeing.

There are two ramps that are on a slight incline and that spiral up the dome. Each ramp is one-way, which is nice as it means you do not have to negotiate oncoming traffic as you enjoy your panoramic view of Berlin. At the top there is a viewing platform with a large 'thing' in the middle. I have no idea what it does, but as the very top if the dome has a small opening I assume it collects rainwater.

Now this is the part where you get a great little tip. On top of the Reichstag, next to the dome, is a café/restaurant. Here you can see the Berlin skyline, but also enjoy a great selection of cakes and gateaus, wines, hot chocolate or even a full meal! Everything in the café/restaurant is nice and expensive looking: There are waiters dressed in suits, and a display of the cakes on offer. The food isn't exactly cheap (I remember it being 3.60 Euros for a slice of cake), but you're on holiday!

Ok here's the tip. You can reserve a table at a certain time in the café/restaurant (reservation is free!). "So what?" You're thinking. Well... if you have reserved, you can skip the queue, this is the queue that can stretch right down the field in front of the Reichstag and can take hours to proceed through. With your confirmation email you can enter through the west door (on a compass, it's actually to the right of the main door, behind the right ramp). This is also the accessible entrance. To book a table, just drop a friendly email to:

kaeferreservierung.berlin@feinkost-kaefer.de

BE WARNED: If you would like an audio guide, get one before you enter the café, as you cannot get back through to get the audio guides.

For more information on the Reichstag visit:

www.bundestag.de

Summary: Worth your time to go up the dome, although book in the café or judge the length of the queue.