Former Plenary Chamber of the FRG

Authentic site of contemporary history

The Plenary Chamber, located directly on the Rhine, is an unusual event venue: It is one of the most beautiful parliament buildings in the world and is part of the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB). The members of the Federal Parliament met there from 1992 until 1999. The building has been used as a conference centre since 1999.

Until the New Plenary Chamber was completed, the Old Waterworks on the Rhine were the temporary seat of the Federal German Parliament (1986 – 1992). It was here that the resolution was passed on 20 June 1990 to move the German Federal Parliament to Berlin.

The building was constructed according to the plans drawn up by the Stuttgart architect Behnisch & Partner. The plumage of the Federal Parliament's eagle, the so-called Fat hen, is asymmetric and without any gaps, in order to clearly show the members that they will never achieve perfection. The Plenary Chamber has over 601 seats in the hall and 144 seats in the gallery.

The Bonn Information office offers guided tours through the Plenary Chamber: The tours generally take place on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, at 2 pm and 3 pm in each case.