Western Facade Of The Reichstag In Berlin, Germany Editorial Image

The letters on the western facade of the Reichstag building in Berlin spell out, `Dem Deutschen Volke,` which in English reads, `To the German People.` The building was constructed in the 1870s and was the site of its parliament until severely damaged by fire in 1933. After World War Two the allied powers agreed that it could not be used as a government seat. It was, however, the site of the reunification ceremony in 1990. Nine years later the building was reconstructed and rebuilt. But the exterior facades were restored and retained, while the interior was completed re-done in a modern style. A spectacular glass dome now towers over the older portion. The building reopened as the seat of parliament in 1991. The Reichstag is now considered to be the nation`s second leading tourist site, second only to the Brandenburg Gate.