German history, then and now

After the currywurst, it was back to more Berlin sights.

There, in the middle of the street, an enormous gate. The Brandenburg Gate, in fact. Present to so much history, including several of Hitler's speeches and many military marches. A very imposing structure of stone.

Then, to the current seat of German government, the Reichstag. This was architecturally very interesting. The building itself had been the site of so much, including being burnt down in 1933 that led to Hitler and the Nazis grabbing more totalitarian power in Germany. Left unoccupied and decrepit for awhile, in the 1990s it was rehabbed by British architect Lord Norman Foster. The exterior old stone facade was kept, but the interior made entirely new and modern. We went inside.

In the center of the building, there is a very large glass dome. Visitors can explore this dome and walk up its side. In the middle, a slew of mirrors serve two purposes. First, they reflect natural light and reduce the need for artificial light and electricity throughout the building. Second, and much more cool, is that they symbolize the German government's commitment to transparency. Immediately below the mirrors is the chamber in which the legislature meets. The building itself embodies the core principle that the government serves the people and that they should know everything that happens within.

The dome itself is open air and lets in rain, cooling the building. There was also an enormous sun shade that rotated around the dome to deflect the sun's direct rays. It was an ingenious bit of architecture, mixing neat design with pointed symbolism. It also afforded great views of the city.