In November I visited Berlin.  Although I was there on business before I caught my flight back to Paris I did manage a quick trip to see the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag.

I left the S-Bahn at Unter den Linden in East Berlin and walked along the broad boulevard towards the Brandenburg Gate.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

 

 

During my visit on the 9th November Germany marked the 15th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

 

 

 

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

 

 

 

As I approached I could clearly see the details on the horse drawn chariot on top.

 

 

 

 

 

The horse and chariot statue on the top of the Brandenburg Gate

I then walked through the gate into West Berlin and round the corner to the Reichstag.

Reichstag, Berlin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View from the side of the nineteenth century parliament building

 

Reichstag, Berlin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front entrance to the Reichstag 

The Reichstag in Berlin

 

 

Dem Deustsche Volke is the inscription on the entrance to the Reichstag

 

 

with its inscription, "Dem Deutscher Volke" (To the German People).

 

 

 

 

 

After reunification the British architect Sir Norman Foster was appointed to restore the building making the Reichstag the seat of the Bundestag, the German parliament.


 The Reichstag with its famous glass dome

He also added a new glass dome where you can walk up to a viewing deck and be rewarded with stunning views of the city.

This was my third time in Berlin. 

April, Neil and John, Berlin Summer 2003

On previous visits I'd stayed with April who showed us the social side of Berlin and we especially enjoyed the bars and social scene around the Hackesche Höfe.

I'm sure it won't be long before I return to Berlin again.