Berlin~10

A view inside the Reichstag, the German parliament building.

But first, I wish my beautiful wife a very happy 24th Wedding Anniversary today, and apologise for having a cricket match!!

You have to book to visit, but it is really worth it, to be able to go on the roof and inside the dome.

This building's history is so entwined with that of Germany.

The Reichstag itself was built between 1884 and 1894 using wartime reparation money from France after their defeat in 1871.

In 1933 it was detroyed by fire, blamed on the communists, though to this day it remains unclear who was responsible. This event boosted Hitler's NSDAP party and helped sweep them to power.

At the end of the 2nd World War the building was further damaged when the Soviets entered Berlin.

When the Berlin Wall was built, the Reichstag was right next to it, in West Berlin. It was rebuilt between 1958 and 1972, and the West German parliament met here once a year to symbolically declare that Bonn was only a temporary capital, and that one day Berlin would be the capital of a unified Germany again.

After unification, the decision was taken to renovate the Reichstag, and the British architect Sir Norman Foster was given the task. Completed in 1999, the building is topped with this glass dome. Once inside the Reichstag, you are whisked to the roof by elevator, and then you can enter the glass domed roof, and walk via the spiral walkway to the top. It offers amazing views of the city. and is well worth the trip. If you are going though, book in advance!!!

[Peter de Graaff]

Did you go to the top of dome? It is terrific

[Sean O'Neill]

@peterdegraaff I did Peter, it is a breathtaking place and was one of the highlights of our 4 days in Berlin.

[Peter de Graaff]

@seanoneill my favourite place is the Pergamon Museum. It is mind boggling.

[Sean O'Neill]

@peterdegraaff We never got their Peter, but we will be back! I have been to Pergamon itself many years ago whilst on my honeymoon touring the sites of Ancient Turkey.

[Simply Amanda]

Such cool shapes and reflections.

[Cazla]

Very interesting post, thanks for taking the time to explain the history behind the images. Berlin def looks worth visiting.

[Jocasta]

Really enjoying these photos - and thanks for all the info - really interesting.

[Malc Bird]

Fabulous series of shots and particularly like this one Sean

[Ivan]

Great image, Sean, complex but simplified by mono.

[David]

Fabulous perspective Sean.

[Janelle]

That looks like an amazing place. So much going on in that shot. have been staring at in large for a bit, trying to work it all out

[Ross Walker]

Dizzying perspective.

[Kathy A]

Very cool!

[Myrna O'Hara]

fFAV I think I like this shot better than the other for some reason, maybe because it is lighter and I can see more reflections. Awesome structure!!

[Helen]

Very interesting - I remember visiting prior to reunification and it was a totally different experience! Great perspective.

[Jen Hudson]

What great shots you have bought back from Berlin. This is an amazing building, quite different. Sorry for mass comments but trying to get back on course with project.

[Sean O'Neill]

@jennywren No need to apologise Jen., I am delighted to receive so many lovely comments from you. Hope you're well, will pop and have a look at your project later this morning when I get to my office :)

[Jen Hudson]

@seanoneill many thanks for your reply. Just functioning on slightly less than all cylinders! Also so busy with the outdoor bowls season, just hard to fit it all in. Do feel guilty when I get comments from people when I havnt managed to keep up with them! Having a catch up drive now.