The Regierungsviertel: the river of government
Foster's glass dome, the federal buildings straddling the Spree, and the Brandenburg Gate to close. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Start at the great glass shed of the central station — itself worth a look up before you leave it. Cross south toward the river; the federal quarter opens out in front of you within a couple of minutes.

2. Spreebogenpark
The lawn on the river's north bank, inside the great bend of the Spree the whole quarter is named for. A good first vantage: the government buildings line up across the water from here. Sit a moment before the architecture starts in earnest.

3. Bundeskanzleramt
The Chancellery — a vast white block with a giant round window, nicknamed the 'washing machine' by Berliners who weren't asked. You can't go in, but you can read the whole democratic-transparency idea off the glass. Walk its riverside flank.

4. Band des Bundes — the Spree footbridge
The federal strip deliberately straddles the old East–West line: the Paul-Löbe-Haus on the south bank, the Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus on the north, joined by a double footbridge over the Spree. Cross it. A parliament stitched across the river the Wall once ran beside is the quiet argument of the whole quarter.

5. Reichstag building
The 1894 parliament, burned in 1933, ruined in 1945, and crowned in 1999 with Norman Foster's glass dome you can walk up inside. The dome is free but entry needs a booking made in advance — bring it or admire the building from Platz der Republik. The lawn out front is a fine place to take it in.

6. Brandenburger Tor
South to the Brandenburg Gate — once stranded in the death strip, now the city's front door. Stand under it and walk through; for a few decades nobody could. The U5 and S-Bahn are right here for the way home.

The Regierungsviertel: the river of government