Berlin: area by area – Tiergarten – The Federal Chancellery

The Federal Chancellery is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in the new government precinct.
This large white edifice is part of the "ribbon of government" that stretches across the Spree, and it also stands in architectonic dialogue with the historic »Reichstag building.
On September 6, 1991, the people of Germany decided that Berlin should be the capital city of the reunified country. An architectural competition was announced, to determine who should design the government buildings.
The winners were the Berlin architects Axel Schulte and Charlotte Frank, who conceived the "ribbon" of government buildings joining East and West.
The entrance hall alone has the dimensions of a cathedral. The Chancellor's reception area is airy and transparent, and offers a wonderful view of the »Tiergarten, especially from the balconies. State guests are received in the Ehrenhof ("courtyard of honour"), for which the Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida designed a monumental iron sculpture, entitled "Berlin".