THE CENTRAL CORRIDORS OF POWER IN THE BERLIN REPUBLIC - from Wilhelmstrasse via the ‘Band des Bundes’ government strip to the Reichstag building. The government district from its beginnings in the middle of the 19th century to the era of German division and on to the present day. A potted history of around 150 years of Prussia and Germany – past and present.
After an introduction on Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate, probably Germany’s most famous landmark, we initially set off in search of traces of the past on Wilhelmstrasse – once a synonym for the German government and THE corridor of power in Germany from the days of the German Empire until the demise of the Third Reich. From there we head to the Spreebogen, the new parliamentary and government district bordered by the curving River Spree. Here you will learn lots of interesting facts about the individual buildings of the government strip, the ‘Band des Bundes’ (Chancellery, Paul Löbe House, Marie Elisabeth Lüders House and Jakob Kaiser House).
The end and high point of the tour can, if desired, be a visit to the Reichstag building. Your attention is drawn to the information provided below and you should allow at least three hours for the tour including a visit to the Reichstag building.
Meeting point: Brandenburg Gate tourist information centre, Pariser Platz (left-hand wing of the Gate) (Map)
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
a)
The visit to the Reichstag building (guided tour of the building, a talk or plenary debate and/or roof terrace and dome) and use of all services on offer in the building, e.g. talks by German Bundestag Visitors’ Service speakers, audio guides, etc., are naturally free of charge and can also be booked directly at www.bundestag.de. The fee to be paid to us is for our organisational work in connection with the registration process and the approx. two-and-a-half-hour tour in conjunction with the visit to the Reichstag building. Please note that guided tours of the building may only be run by the Visitors’ Service of the German Bundestag – registration for these likewise at www.bundestag.de.
b)
Please also note that a tour of the Reichstag building with us is only possible if you register far enough in advance. Lead time for a talk in the visitors’ gallery of the Bundestag’s plenary chamber in the Reichstag building: at least 7 days. Lead time for visiting the roof terrace and dome: at least 3 days.