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Political Bonn

Bonn was the seat of Government and capital of the Federal Republic of Germany for almost 50 years. The former district of Parliament and Government is considered a symbol of the first successful German democracy.

After the relocation of parliament and parts of the government in 1999, six federal ministries remained on the Rhine.

Experience political world history as part of one of the numerous guided tours through the government district and selected buildings.

This district, nowadays known as the ‘Federal Quarter’ (Bundesviertel), reflects Bonn’s fundamental change from the hub of politics to a location of international business and service companies.

Many buildings in the ‘Federal Quarter’, familiar from the political past, continue to fulfil important functions. The former Plenary Chamber of Parliament (‘Bundestag’) and the buildings of the erstwhile waterworks (‘Altes Wasserwerk’) serve as an international conference centre. What used to be the office building of the Members of Parliament plus a few adjacent buildings is the UN Campus of today. Bonn was appointed the German UN City in 1996.

Deutsche Welle, the German international broadcaster, airs its programmes in 30 languages from its headquarters in the ‘Federal Quarter’.

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  • Sascha Engst/Bundesstadt Bonn
  • Arno Schatz/Bundesstadt Bonn
  • Foto: Michael Sondermann/Bundesstadt Bonn