Unity Flag

The Flag of Unity stands on Berlin’s Platz der Republik, directly in front of the Reichstag’s western entrance. It is a giant version of Germany’s national flag, raised to mark the country’s reunification. The flagpole is positioned a few metres from the bottom of the main staircase leading to the Reichstag. It was first hoisted on 2 October 1990, minutes before midnight, by seven young athletes from East and West. The moment coincided with the official unification at midnight and was accompanied by fireworks and the national anthem. The current metal mast is lit at night by four 250-watt spotlights set into its base. The flag measures six by ten metres, making it the largest official federal flag. Nearby, three smaller flagpoles stand at the northern end of the same staircase. The middle one carries the European flag, while the southern one normally holds the federal flag. When a foreign parliament president visits, their national flag flies on the northern pole. The Flag of Unity itself is treated as a national monument and is rarely flown at half-mast, except after major tragedies such as the attacks in Paris in November 2015.