Before & After • Berlin

Read the Reichstag off its own stone

One building carries every chapter of modern German history. Tap an era to see what happened, whether a trace still survives, and exactly what to look for when you stand there.

The layers, oldest at the top

Traces you can still find today 0 / 4

That is the whole trick of the Reichstag: four visible layers, from imperial stone to a democratic glass dome, standing in one facade. Now you know where to look.

The dome and roof terrace are free but need a booking in advance at bundestag.de. Bring the passport or ID you registered with.