The Parliament Building was constructed according to plans by the architect H. Auer, and was inaugurated in 1902. The domed hall which separates the two chambers contains many symbolic representations of Swiss history. The glass dome displays the coats of arms of 22 cantons. They surround a mosaic depicting the Federal coat of arms with the motto, 'One for all, and all for one'. The coat of arms of the canton of Jura is displayed separately along with the new canton’s date of accession (1978). The stained-glass windows show four parts of Switzerland and the principal economic activities particular to each. The medallions were designed by Soldini, a former member of the National Council, and symbolise defence, education, justice, and public works. J.A. Vibert sculptured the monument to 'The Three Confederates', showing Werner Stauffacher, Walter Fürst, and Arnold von Melchtal swearing the oath of union. Four infantry soldiers guard the base of the statue where the staircase divides. They represent the country's four linguistic groups. Opposite the group of Rütli confederates, a relief depicts the legend of the origin of the Swiss as told in Schiller’s saga of 'Wilhelm Tell'. In the niches, Winkelried appears as a symbol of self-sacrifice, and Nicholas von Flüe symbolises reconciliation.
The National Council chamber is dominated by a large fresco by Giron that represents the cradle of the Confederation (the Rütli meadow with the two peaks of the Mythen in the background). Stauffacher’s wife and Wilhelm Tell are on the right and the left of the mural. Above the mural, there is the portrayal of a legend recounting the deeds of the forefathers. The frieze of heraldic arms is decorated by the escutcheons of 59 important communes grouped by canton. Along the curved back wall, seats resembling choir-stalls are provided for members of the Council of States who come across to the National Council for sessions of the United Federal Assembly whose principal task is to elect the members of the Federal Council (the Executive) and the Federal Supreme Court. In 1993 the National Council chamber was extensively restored for the first time since its dedication.
The chamber of the Council of States, which is above the main entrance overlooking the Bundesplatz, is lit by three tall arched windows. The chamber is entered through arcades on the sides, above which the visitors's gallery is to be found. The rear wall of the chamber, which seperates it from the domed hall, bears a mural by Albert Welti depicting a Landsgemeinde (outdoor people's assembly) in the canton of Nidwalden; the 'Landsgemeinde' is one of the shining examples of Swiss parliamentary procedure. Panels above the arcades note the dates of important events in Swiss constitutional history.