Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

The Brandenburger Tor or Brandenburg Gate is the only surviving Berlin city gate from the 18th century and a symbol of the reunified city.

The Brandenburger Tor or Brandenburg Gate is the only surviving Berlin city gate from the 18^th century and a symbol of the reunified city. It was built as an entrance gate to Unter den Linden, which at the time led directly to the city palace of the Prussian monarchs. A historically significant monument on Pariser Platz, it has been a witness to the evolution of the city through turbulent as well as peaceful times.

Designed by architect Carl Gotthard Langhans in 1791, it was based on the Propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens. The 65-metre wide 20-metre high classical sandstone edifice has 12 Doric columns forming five passageways, of which the middle was originally reserved for royalty. The off-white gate is decorated with reliefs and sculptures illustrating Greek mythology, including the exploits of Hercules which allude to times of war followed by redevelopment. In 1793, a quadriga statue of a 4-horse cart driven by Eirene, the Goddess of Peace was added atop the gate, pointing to the city centre in the east. The quadriga was appropriated to the Louvre, Paris by Napolean in 1806, and returned to Berlin after his defeat in 1814. It was redesigned with a laurel wreath, Prussian eagle and iron cross to represent Viktoria - the Goddess of Victory, and the Brandenburg Gate became a Prussian triumphal arch. A symbol of Nazi propaganda, the gate was heavily damaged in World War II and subsequently restored. It is flanked by two small buildings, Haus Liebermann and Haus Sommer, which were built to replace the earlier pavilions that were destroyed. The Brandenburg Gate was closed off when Germany was divided, and finally opened up to signify the reunification of Berlin.

Book a guided tour of the Brandenburg Gate to learn about its significance and history. It is a highlight of any trip to Berlin.