Reichstag

Germany is governed from the Reichstag, home of the Bundestag - the nation's parliament. Every four years, some 600 or so members are elected to the parliament, to carry out the work of preparing new laws and scrutinising the activities of the government. And of course, members are also responsible for electing the German chancellor. The building has stood on the edge of a square in Berlin's Tiergarten since the late 19th century. On the outside - with the exception of a glass dome - it looks very much as it would have done more than 100 years ago. Inside, it has been thoroughly modernised and now includes a restaurant for the more deep-pocketed visitor. However, entrance to the building itself is free.