During World War II, the Reichstag building in Berlin held significant symbolic importance. Serving as the seat of the German Parliament, the Reichstag was a political and cultural emblem of the German Reich. Throughout the war, the Reichstag was directly impacted by the course of battles and political developments:
1. Reichstag Fire (1933): On February 27, 1933, the Reichstag building was severely damaged in a fire. The Nazis used the fire as a pretext to persecute political opponents and consolidate power.
2. Announcement of Total War (1943): In 1943, Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, proclaimed the policy of "Total War" in the Berlin Sportpalast before a gathered crowd. This speech illustrated the Nazi government's desperation in the face of deteriorating war circumstances.
3. Capture of Berlin by the Red Army (1945): During the Battle of Berlin in April 1945, the Reichstag once again became a focal point. The Red Army raised their flag atop the Reichstag building as a symbol of the impending victory over Nazi Germany.
4. Famous Flag Raising (1945): The iconic scene of Soviet soldiers raising the Red Flag on the Reichstag symbolized the end of World War II in Europe and the Allied triumph over Nazi Germany.
The Reichstag thus embodied both political power and military conquest throughout the war. The events surrounding the Reichstag building reflect the dramatic changes unfolding in Berlin and across Europe during the wartime period.
Map (coming soon)
This experience can not be booked online at the moment. You want a personalized service with ww2.tours for this tour destination? Please make a booking request.
