The Reichstag Dome

Last Friday John and I re-visited the Reichstag, this time with our time reservations made on-line to visit the glass dome atop Germany's parliament building.

Apparently people used line up for hours to visit Sir Norman Foster's glass creation but with our reservations we just walked right in though the security is understandably intense. Soon we were in the elevator to the roof.

Foster's glass dome was finished in 1993 and is supposed to symbolize the reunification of Germany when the Wall fell and it was decided to return parliament to this historic building.

From the roof I took this photo of the River Spree and the Bahnhof Friedrichstaße in the distance. The railroad station in the distance was once the main border crossing between East and West Berlin.

Inside, the glass dome with its central, mirrored column is decidely bedazzling.

Visitors climb to the viewing platform at its top along a winding ramp

with views of Berlin. like the lush, green Tiergarten, outside

and the mirrored column inside.

The viewing platform gives a 360 degree view of Berlin and a dazzling view of the interior.

It's a photographer's delight although my final impression of the Dome was of a carousel ride. Just add motion, seats for visitors and a mechanical organ. It certainly is a tourist draw.

On our way out after a glimpse of parliament in session through several panels of glass on the ground floor, John took this shot of the columned entrance to the building. "The German People".

Male and female river gods grace the sides of the entrance

 under a sun-burst head.