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Berlin Tourist Infos

Ihre Experten vor Ort

In den Berlin Tourist Infos erhalten Sie direkt vor Ort alle wichtigen Informationen zur Stadt, Karten und Tickets für Sightseeing und Veranstaltungen. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch. Auch Ihr Hotel können Sie hier reservieren. Unsere kompetenten Mitarbeiter sind mehrsprachig und helfen Ihnen gerne weiter - und vielleicht erhalten Sie auch noch einen ganz besonderen Berlin-Geheimtipp für Ihren Aufenthalt.

Mit der Berlin Welcome Card können Sie viele Attraktionen vergünstigt erleben. An zentralen Plätzen der Stadt finden Sie unsere Berlin Tourist Infos: am Brandenburger Tor , am  Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (BER) und natürlich auch am Berlin Hauptbahnhof .

Infos zu einzelnen Stadtteilen erhalten Sie auch in den  Tourist-Informationen der Bezirke .

Berlin Brandenburg WelcomeCenter

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Ort Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg 12529 Schönefeld Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg 12529 Schönefeld

Berlin Tourist Info im Brandenburger Tor

Ort Pariser Platz, südliches Torhaus 10117 Berlin Pariser Platz, südliches Torhaus 10117 Berlin

Berlin Tourist Info im Hauptbahnhof

Ort Erdgeschoss/ Eingang Europaplatz 10557 Berlin Erdgeschoss/ Eingang Europaplatz 10557 Berlin

Berlin Tourist Info im Humboldt Forum

Ort Schloßplatz 10178 Berlin Schloßplatz 10178 Berlin

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Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

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U.S. News Insider Tip: A nice souvenir video of the Brandenburg Gate can be captured by taking a taxi on the northbound road (Bundesstraße 2) that loops around the Brandenburg Gate. Keep your camera steady out the window, and you’ll have an impressive panoramic video. – Michael Cappetta

Inspired by the Acropolis entrance in Athens , the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate) is one of the most-photographed sites in Berlin. Located in Pariser Platz (Paris Square), one of the city's most famous squares, the Brandenburg Gate was built for King Frederick William II starting in 1788. Designed by royal architect, Carl Gotthard Langhans, the sandstone structure stands 85 feet high.

Since its debut, it's been the backdrop of much of the city's history, including Napoleonic invasions and Nazi parades. During the Cold War, the structure sat in "no man's land" between East and West Berlin, where it was inaccessible to locals and visitors.

Recent visitors said it's a must-see sight that you’ll likely pass by several times during your time in Berlin thanks to its central location. Others recommended admiring it during the day and again at night, when the structure is beautifully illuminated.

Although it will only take a few moments to snap a picture of the gate, you might want to walk by the tourist information center in the south wing of the Brandenburg Gate and consider the vast history that has taken place here. The gate is accessible 24/7 and is free to visit.

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#2 Reichstag Building

A symbol of Germany's past, present and future, the Reichstag, or Parliament Building, is a blend of different architecture styles from the late 20th to late 21st centuries. It symbolizes the country's path from a dark past to a brighter future.

Originally constructed between 1884 and 1894, the building was destroyed by arson in 1933, an act that marked a turning point in the history of the Third Reich. It was then bombed during World War II and didn't become the seating house of government again until 1999, when the distinguishing glass dome was added. Today, a visit to the dome is popular among travelers thanks to the stunning views it provides, particularly of the Tiergarten . If you're interested in a more in-depth history lesson, heed the advice of past travelers and take advantage of the free audio guide available to visitors.

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• Berlin Besucher

Sehenswürdigkeiten

Brandenburger Tor: Alle Infos zu Berlins wichtigstem Wahrzeichen

Das Brandenburger Tor ist das Wahrzeichen Berlins, wenn nicht sogar das Bauwerk, das Deutschland in der Welt symbolisiert. Der Fernsehturm mag spektakulär sein und das Reichstagsgebäude politisch bedeutender, an die Symbolkraft des Brandenburger Tors kommt einfach nichts heran. Alles über das wichtigste Wahrzeichen dieser Stadt.

Das Brandenburger Tor – keine Funktion, aber Symbolwert

Geschichte Der Mangel, aber auch das Schöne am Brandenburger Tor: Es hat keine Funktion. Zwar stand an dieser Stelle bis in das 18. Jahrhundert tatsächlich ein Stadttor, aus dem man die Stadt in Richtung Brandenburg an der Havel verlassen konnte, heute ist das Brandenburger Tor allerdings ein Triumphtor, ein Bauwerk, das schlicht und ergreifend der Repräsentation dient.

In Berlin schwebte dem Regenten Friedrich Wilhelm II. im 18. Jahrhundert ein krönender Abschluss für den Prachtboulevard Unter den Linden vor und so ließ er einen Architekten einen Entwurf zeichnen: Carl GotthardLanghans, ein dem Klassizismus verpflichteter Baumeister , machte sich an die Arbeit und schlug das an die griechische Akropolis angelehnte Gebäudeensemble vor. Zu dem eigentlichen Tor, das aus sechs dorischen Säulen bestehen sollte, gehören auch zwei Flügelbauten.

Die Bauarbeiten begannen 1789 im Jahr der Französischen Revolution. Die feierliche Einweihung wurde vier Jahre später, 1793 begangen. Das Brandenburger Tor misst 62,5 Meter in der Breite und ist etwas über 20 Meter hoch, die Quadriga nicht mitgerechnet.

Die Quadriga ist die Skulptur, die das Tor krönt. Sie stellt ein antikes Vierergespann dar, das von der Siegesgöttin Viktoria geführt wird, die den Frieden in die Stadt bringen soll. Der Entwurf der Quadriga stammt von dem bedeutenden preußischen Bildhauer Johann Gottfried Schadow .

Durchgang für den Kaiser und Mittel zur Selbstdarstellung

Bis zum Ende der Kaiserzeit stand das Brandenburger Tor im Zentrum des preußischen Selbstverständnisses. Die mittlere Durchfahrt durfte nur vom Regenten und seiner Familie benutzt werden und viele wichtigen Paraden und Zeremonien fanden vor dem Tor statt. Nach dem Ende des Ersten Weltkrieges und den Ereignissen der Novemberrevolution wurde das verwitterte und teilweise beschädigte Tor aufwendig restauriert, in der Ära der Weimarer Republik aber seltener als repräsentativer Symbolbau benutzt.

Erst die Nationalsozialisten entdeckten die Wirkkraft der symbolträchtigen Architektur wieder und inszenierten sie als Teil ihrer Machtpolitik. Am 30. Januar 1933 fand der berüchtigte „Fackelzug“ der SA durch das Brandenburger Tor statt, mit dem die Machtübernahme der NSDAP gefeiert wurde. Das Tor spielte auch eine zentrale Rolle in den größenwahnsinnigen Plänen der „Welthauptstadt Germania“, die Adolf Hitler mit seinem Architekten Albert Speer vorantrieb.

Der Zweite Weltkrieg setzte dem Tor erheblich zu. Bei der „Schlacht um Berlin“ brannten beide Torhäuser ab, die Quadriga wurde bis auf den Kopf der Siegesgöttin komplett zerstört und an den Säulen erinnerten Einschusslöcher an die Kriegsgrauen.

Während der Teilung steht das Brandenburger Tor am Stadtrand

Nach der Teilung Berlins befand sich das berühmte Bauwerk plötzlich am Stadtrand, es gehörte zu Ost-Berlin und der Sowjetischen Besatzungszone (SBZ), stand aber unmittelbar im Grenzgebiet und nach dem Mauerbau 1961 mitten auf dem Todesstreifen. Die Berliner Mauer prägte das Berliner Stadtbild .

Zwar hat die DDR die zerstörte Quadriga restaurieren und neu aufstellen lassen, doch blickte sie zeitweise in entgegengesetzter Fahrtrichtung. Es war eine „Retourkutsche“ des SED-Regimes, gerichtet an den Systemfeind, die BRD.

Am 9. November 1989 stand das Brandenburger Tor erneut im Mittelpunkt der deutschen Geschichte. Diesmal jedoch als Symbol der Freiheit. Als die Mauer fiel, feierten die Menschen aus Ost und West vor der historischen Kulisse und lagen sich lachend und weinend in den Armen. Auch die große Silvesterparty 1989/90 auf dem Pariser Platz rückte das vom preußischen Militarismus und nationalsozialistischem Machtwahn durchtränkte Symbol der deutsch-deutsche Teilung in ein freundlicheres Licht.

Seitdem wird am und vor dem Brandenburger Tor zumeist gefeiert, manchmal auch protestiert, doch stets sind die Großereignisse friedlich. Die großen Silvesterfeiern mit spektakulären Feuerwerkshows etwa oder die Love Parade zu der über eine Million Raver:innen kamen. Auch der WM-Sieg der deutschen Nationalmannschaft im Jahr 2014 wurde hier gefeiert.

Die Frankreich-Reise der Quadriga

Fun Fact Das Brandenburger Tor stand immer wieder im Zentrum der deutschen Geschichte und dabei kam es auch zu kuriosen Begebenheiten. Nach der Niederlage Preußens im Vierten Koalitionskrieg gegen Frankreich zog Napoleon 1806 durch das Tor in die eroberte Stadt. Der Kaiser der Franzosen packte die Quadriga ein und ließ sie nach Paris bringen. Eine Schmach für die Preußen und Berliner.

Doch nur acht Jahre später marschierten die Preußen in Paris ein und holten sich die Quadriga zurück. Nach der Rückführung und Restaurierung stand die Skulptur wieder an ihrem angestammten Platz und wird von den Berlinern fortan „Retourkutsche“ genannt.

Wichtige Infos für den Besuch

Information für Besucher Das Tor steht direkt am Pariser Platz zwischen den Bezirken Mitte und Tiergarten. Es ist 24 Stunden am Tag zugänglich und die Besichtigung kostet natürlich keinen Eintritt. Eine Übersicht zu großen Veranstaltungen am Tor gibt es hier .

Anfahrt Man erreicht es am besten zu Fuß oder mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln: Entweder mit den S-Bahnen (Station Brandenburger Tor) der Linien S1, S2, S25 oder mit der U-Bahn  (Station Brandenburger Tor) der Linie U5. Sowie mit den Bussen 100 (Haltestelle Reichstag/Bundestag und Brandenburger Tor) und 147 (Haltestelle Brandenburger Tor/Glinkastr.). Wer mit dem eigenen PKW kommt, sollte die schwierige Parkplatzsituation beachten.

Tipp Oft gibt es am Brandenburger Tor Foto-Möglichkeiten mit Comic-Figuren oder anderen Gestalten. Die erwarten in aller Regel eine finanzielle Gegenleistungen. Zwar wird niemand dazu gezwungen, es kann aber unangenehm werden. Fast immer finden sich am Pariser Platz Rikschas, mit denen sich Gäste durch Berlin gondeln lassen können.

In der Nähe In Laufweite zum Tor befinden sich weitere wichtige Sehenswürdigkeiten wie der Reichstag , das Hotel Adlon, der Pariser Platz , die Akademie der Künste, die Botschaft der USA, der Tiergarten und das Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas .

• Brandenburger Tor , Pariser Platz, Mitte

Mehr erleben in Berlin

Gleich um die Ecke vom Brandenburger Tor: Der Reichstag – Alle Infos und die Geschichte . Ihr sucht einen ultimativen Überblick? Hier findet ihr alles zu Berliner Sehenswürdigkeiten . Das sind  die zwölf wichtigsten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Berlin .

Berlin News, Facts, Figures and Photos – Life and Living in Berlin

Brandenburg gate (brandenburger tor).

Brandenburg Gate, Quadriga, Berlin Mitte - Photo:T.Bortels/nuBerlin.com

The Brandenburg Gate (German: Brandenburger Tor) is probably the strongest symbol for The Fall of The Berlin Wall – and The German Reunification. For decades only East German Border Patrol could be seen walking through the gate. Still in 1987 Ronald Reagan was demanding “ Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! ” – and only about two years later the gate was actually open.

Right next to the Brandenburg Gate , at Pariser Platz you’ll find the iconic Grand Hotel Adlon . Badly damaged during the Second World War it war partly torn down – but then rebuilt in the  nineties, after the Berlin Wall came down.

Not only the gate itself, but also the area around the Brandenburg Gate is well worth a visit. On the west side of the gate, the public park Tiergarten , the largest inner city park Berlin has many beautiful spots and sights to offer. On the east side a twenty minute walk down the boulevard Unter den Linden would lead you to Alexanderplatz. On the north side of the gate, in about 5 minute walking distance you will find the Reichstag, where the German parliament is situated. And on the south side of the gate, also about 5 minute walking distance, you’ll find the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial – a large 19,000 m2 (4.7-acre) field covered with 2.711 concrete stelae. Walking across the rows is a must – and especially by night this can be a sight to remember. And right next to the Holocaust Memorial you can find the Embassy of the United States of America.

…to be continued…

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The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

This post is about The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor), its history, architecture, and what to see and do here.

The Brandenburg Gate is the symbol of Berlin and the reunited Germany as well.

• Where Is It?
• Early History
• Architecture and Symbolism
• WW2 + The Cold War
• Events and Things to Do Here

Where is the Brandenburg Gate Located?

The Brandenburg Gate is located in the western part of Berlin's city center.  

The six columned gate with the quadriga (a chariot drawn by four horses abreast) on top is situated at the “Pariser Platz” in the center of Berlin, next door to the American Embassy.

The Brandenburg Gate is near the big park called the Tiergarten , as well as in walking distance to the Holocaust Memorial and former Hitler bunker .

The Reichstag is close and the avenue “Unter den Linden” connects the Brandenburg Gate with the site where the Berlin Castle is being reconstructed.

This post is a part of our  Berlin-in-a-in a day-Walking Tour , the Berlin Wall Tour and the Third Reich Tour .

The closest U-bahn and S-bahn station is Brandenburg Gate (see green arrow). We recommend using this link for directions to the gate from anywhere in Berlin.

The Berlin Customs Wall

But what is this ancient looking monument for?

In the 18 th century, Berlin abandoned the medieval wall as it had lost its military purpose.

In the 1730's, a new wall was built, this time for customs.

Berlin made all the incoming merchants pay the “Akzise”, a kind of sales tax.

This first Brandenburg Gate from 1734 was smaller than the current one.

The gates were named after the cities the outgoing roads led to, such as Hamburger Tor or Potsdamer Tor.

The Brandenburg Gate is named after the city of Brandenburg/Havel West of Berlin.

The German state of Brandenburg is named after that place as well, because the whole history of Brandenburg and Prussia started here.

The Brandenburg Gate is the only gate left after the wall was destroyed in 1860.

You can still find some of the other gates as place names on the public transit map: “Frankfurter Tor”, “Hallesches Tor”, “Kotbusser Tor”, "Oranienburger Tor".

Tor is German for gate.

The Prussian King Frederick William II, the nephew of the famous Frederick II (“The Great”) commissioned the new gate, which was built between 1788 and 1791.  

He commemorated it to his famous uncle, hoping to take advantage of the latter’s fame.

He didn’t quite live up to his own expectations though; they called him “the fat good-for-nothing”.

Neoclassical Architecture

The actual Brandenburg Gate is 26 meters (85 feet) in height by 65 meters (215 feet) in width and is supported by 6 doric columns on both fronts.

It was modeled after the “Propylaea”, the ancient entrance gate to the Acropolis in Athens.

The architect, Carl Gottfried Langhans, designed the broader middle space for the royal carriages and the smaller spaces on the sides for pedestrians.

Until 1918, when the Kaiser resigned after World War I, only the members of the royal or imperial family, the “Hohenzollern” were allowed to use the middle passageway.

The whole construction made of sandstone is strictly ancient Greece and thus an example of neoclassical architecture.

Johann Gottfried Schadow sculpted the quadriga in 1793, which was cast in copper.

The figure on the chariot is a Greek goddess. She looks into the city.

In 1806, after he had won the battle of Jena and Auerstedt against the Prussians, the French Emperor Napoleon took the quadriga to Paris along with a lot more of looted art.

After Napoleon was defeated in 1814, the Prussians took the quadriga back.

Until then, the lady on the chariot had word a laurel trophy, the symbol of peace, and represented Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace.

During the renovation of the sculpture, the laurel was changed into the more militant oak decorating the “iron cross” the Prussian and later German medal for military achievements and the Prussian eagle. 

So, Eirene changed it to the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria.

Just underneath the quadriga is a relief celebrating the victories of unification.

Among other figures, the relief includes Nike, the goddess of victory, Hercules, the god of strengh, Cornucopia, the goddess of plenty, and Komus, the goddess of joy.

Inside of the five passageways are reliefs on both sides of each wall for a total of 20 reliefs.

All reliefs depict scenes of Hercules and were designed to pay homage to Frederick the Great.

On both the southern and northern sides of the gate are columned porticos, where you will find 2 additional sculptural pieces.

One the southern end is Mars, the god of war, with his sword in its sheath, depicting the end of conflict.

On the northern end is Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and many, many other traits, but in this instance, her role of protector of city states is likely a focus.

From Pariser Platz, you can see two side buildings that look like small temples.

The one on the left was originally built to house the soldiers who were guarding the gate and controlling who could enter and exit.

Today, it houses a small tourist information booth run by Visit Berlin, where you could pick up maps, souvenirs, and other things.

The temple house to the right of the gate was originally built to house the tax authorities, who were tasked with collecting the custom duties.

Today, it houses the Raum der Stille, or the Room of Silence, a place of prayer and contemplation.

Nazi State and World War II

On January 30, 1933, the Nazis celebrated the so-called Machtergreifung (the seizure of power) with a torchlight procession of the SA (a paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, the NSDAP) through the Brandenburg Gate.

This was one of several symbolic acts to position the Nazi state within the tradition of Prussia.

During the Second World War, the gate and the sculpture were damaged. Only the head of one horse is left and is now in the “Märkisches Museum”.

As a plaster mold had been taken in 1942, the quadriga could be reconstructed.

This was done; believe it or not, in the German Democratic Republic, the DDR, the socialist German state in 1956.

However, the iron cross and the eagle were taken away because they were widely seen as symbols of German militarism.

The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate

After the construction of the Wall in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was within the exclusion zone and inaccessible from West and East alike.  

On August 14, 1961 people from West Berlin together with their mayor, Willy Brandt, had rallied against the construction of the Wall.

This gave the East German government a pretext to close the checkpoint at the Brandenburg Gate “until further notice”.  

As it could be seen from the West, the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of the German partition during the Cold War and the desire of reunification.

In June 1987, during a visit in Berlin (West) the American President Ronald Reagan came to the Western side of the Brandenburg Gate and said the famous words: „Mr. Gorbachev open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!“

And on November 9th, 1989, a crowd totalling in the thousands descended on the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

They came to celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall at the most symbolic sight of the separation of Berlin and Germany during the Cold War.

The Brandenburg Gate Today

On December 22, 1989, the Brandenburg Gate was officially reopened with 100,000 people cheering.

However, the gate and the quadriga needed refurbishing, which was done between 2000 and 2002.

On October 3, 2002, the refurbished gate was officially reopened and the quadriga got its iron cross and eagle back.

Motor vehicles cannot pass the Brandenburg Gate, as the sandstone would not survive the pollution.

You can't enter or climb the gate. It's just there to walk through and to admire from various viewpoints.

Many events take place here.

Notable Sights around Pariser Platz

Tourist Information Office

As mentioned above, the old temple that once housed the guards at the Brandenburg Gate is now a tourist vistor center.

Here you can purchase souvenirs, hats, and umbrellas, as well as tickets to attractions and make hotel bookings.

It is also outside of this office where many walking tours start from, including our tours .

To the left of the tourist visitor center is the Embassy of the United States of America.

Along with France, Great Britain, and the Russian, Federation, the U.S. Embassy takes up prime real estate alongside the Brandenburg Gate.

Frank Gehry Sculpture

To the left of the the American Embassy is the DZ Bank Building, which has an interesting atrium area/event space.

When no event is taking place, you may be granted access to the lobby where you can see a remarkable space and sculpture designed by Gehry.

The sculpture is made of titanium and is alternatively known as The Whale, keeping in line with Gehry's fascination with fish.

Akademie der Künste (Berlin Academy of Art)

This is one of two buildings that houses Berlin's premier art and cultural institution.

This building hosts artistic exhibitions, lectures, and other events, most requiring tickets, which you could learn about here .

There is also a reading room, a book shop and a cafe.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski

The Hotel from the mid 1990s is a luxury hotel with many celebrity guests like Pierce Brosnan, Renée Zellwege, Marlene Dietrich, Charlie Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth.

Arguably the most famous or infamous celebrity was Michael Jackson, who made headlines when he held his baby out of the window of his suite.

The original Adlon from 1907 was destroyed during the Second World War.

Unter den Linden

The street before you here connects the Brandenburg Gate with the Berlin Cathedral and the Berlin Palace/Humbult Forum.

The name of the street means "Under the Linden Trees" (or lime trees) that once again line its path.

Today, Unter den Linden is lined with many important buildings that have been rebuilt since the end of WW2.

The western side of the Brandenburg Gate is dominated by Tiergarten , Berlin's central park.

It’s a great place of recreation with water features, statues and flower beds and it’s right next to Germany’s oldest zoo, the Berlin Zoologischer Garten.

In the center of a traffic circle you find the “Siegessäule”, the victory column, commemorating three wars that led to the union of Germany in the German Empire in 1871.

Reagan's Speech Commemorative Plaque

Located on the sidewalk west of the gate, near the spot where he delivered his speech, is a plaque commemorating President Reagan's address.

Reichstag Building

Just 300 meters to the north lies the Reichstag Building, the home of the German parliament, the Bundestag.

You can visit the inside of the Reichstag by taking a tour, and/or you can visit the buildings dome.

We explain how to do this in our post on visiting the Reichstag .

Events at The Brandenburg Gate

Throughout the year, there are recurring events that take place, at least partly at the Brandenburg Gate.

Additionally, there are pop up events as well as protest and political events throughout the year that are not recurring.

Below are some of the bigger recurring events.

New Year's Eve

Each year, a big, open-air celebration called "Celebrate at the Gate" for ringing in the new year takes place at the Brandenburg Gate, or nearby.

Live national and international musical acts make up much of the show.

In previous years, a major fireworks show was a part of it, but those have been suspended indefinitely.

Tickets are limited and free of charge, so make sure you plan well in advance, if you'd like to take part.

https://www.celebrate.berlin/en/

And on New Year's Day, there is a non-competitive, 4km run called the Neusahrslauf ( New Year's Run ).

Berlin Marathon

This yearly event usually takes place around the end of September.

The 42km marathon snakes its way through the city, but the finish line is the Brandenburg Gate, which has viewing stands.

Fest Zum Tag der Deutschen Einheit (Day of Germany Unity Festival)

October 3 is a national holiday that celebrates the official reunification of the country in 1990.

It's a 3-day festival that takes place on the western side of the Brandenburg Gate on the Platz der Republic.

Expect street food, musical acts, poetry readings, plays, and rides.

Festival of Lights

This terrific event is filled with light and video projections that illuminate buildings and landmarks throughout the city.

Top sights include the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, the Berlin Cathedral, and dozens of other locations.

Each year has a different overall theme, but every year is guaranteed to be colourful and beautiful.

Related Posts:

• Visit the Reichstag
• Holocaust Memorial
• Free Things to Do in Berlin

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Brandenburger Tor

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The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is the last one preserved from the originally 18 Berlin City Gates.

It stands on Pariser Platz and is located two minutes away from the ‘ Memorial To The Murdered Jews of Europe ’. The gate is one of the most famous Berlin landmarks and a national symbol of many important historic events of the 19th and 20th century, such as the separation and reunification of Germany.

In addition, it was one of the first neoclassical buildings in Prussia and marked the beginning of classicism as a state-supporting architecture movement. Next to the television tower in Alexanderplatz, the Brandeburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most important sights.

JUMPBerlin says:

A must for everyone who comes to Berlin. Anyone who leaves Berlin without seeing this historically important place can’t claim to have really experienced the historical side of Berlin.

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Brandenburg gate, zu sehen am:, stop 17 – brandenburg gate, other places of interest, are you looking for something special, hackescher markt ("hacke's market"), humboldt forum, promenade "unter den linden", holocaust memorial, deutschland museum berlin.

Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

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Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

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Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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There is barely an architectural work of art more representative of Germany than the Brandenburg Gate. With its five passages, two gatehouses and the majestic quadriga, it is a must-see attraction for tourists coming to Berlin. But while most people are captivated by its picturesque beauty, few know about the immense historical and symbolic importance of this architectural landmark.

  Facts and figures

The Brandenburg Gate, originally known as the “Brandenburger Tor”, was issued by King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia and completed in 1791. It is thus a neoclassical landmark. Formerly marking the beginning of the road from a town called Brandenburg to the city of Berlin, it is nowadays located right in the centre of Germany‘s capital city. Its construction was heavily influenced by Ancient Greek architecture and was meant to resemble various gates built to celebrate victory, such as the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. Made out of sandstone, it fascinates with its height of about 20 metres.

Historical importance

In order to fully understand the significance of the gate, one must first take a look at its history. Ever since its completion, the Brandenburg Gate has been at the centre of many conflicts in Europe, which resulted in countless military marches having been lead through it. For example, Napoleon used the gate in the early 19th century to show off his victory and even took the quadriga to Paris with him. This at the time enormous scandal has, however, largely been overshadowed by the gate’s even more significant importance in the last century. Its symbolism of victory was massively abused by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in 1933, after Hitler was elected chancellor of Germany and lead a procession of triumph directly through the central passage of the gate, formerly only used by royals. This was meant to send a strong signal of dominance and power across the globe. In addition to that, serious damage was done in World War II, which lead to the gate losing quite a lot of its glory. In August of 1961, following the construction of the Berlin Wall and the closing of a border control near the gate, the sight of the Brandenburg Gate became a tragic one for most Germans, as it stood directly in front of the Iron Curtain. Every glance in its direction from West Berlin also revealed the division of the whole continent and the Death Strip, where hundreds of East Germans were shot and massacred in an attempt to flee their socialist home country. Every glance from the East on the other hand, served as a reminder to the people of the freedom and dignity they longed for yet couldn’t have. In fact, this part of the Wall between West and East, capitalism and socialism, was once the second most closely guarded border in the world. While the Brandenburg Gate, given its impressive design, certainly wasn’t forgotten, it was far from the image of celebration the King of Prussia intended for it to be.

  Symbol of peace and unity

Luckily, this all changed in 1989 when the Wall fell and the Iron Curtain in all of Europe was consequently torn down. On November 9th, a date that was formerly known as the Night Of Broken Glass when the horrible oppression of millions of Jews during the Holocaust found its peak, thousands of Germans, both from the West and the East, climbed on top of the Wall. Their chants of hope and freedom would fill the news in the days to come. And all this happened right in front of the Brandenburg Gate, a landmark that fell from glory to misery and was on this cloudy fall day finally elevated to the symbol of peace and unity it deserves to be; a sign that united we can overcome the past and whatever rocks life throws in our way. To this day, tourists from all over the world step over the line on the ground that marks where once was an unclimbable wall to visit the famous landmark in Berlin and get reminded of how far mankind has come in the last century. History has taught us that we are stronger together; the Brandenburg Gate is one of the few architectural masterpieces that makes you feel this with every single bone.

After recounting the ups and downs of the Brandenburg Gate‘s history, it can be said that King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia surely didn’t predict the turbulent future that would await his very own triumph gate. Still, about a quarter millennium later, the landmark has achieved exactly the glorious status he always envisioned it to have. This glory, however, is not about praising a monarch, a chancellor or even a country — it is rather about celebrating all those people who fought for years and years to make the world a better place. The central passage, once reserved for only those with royal status, can nowadays be walked, wandered or wheeled through by anybody. Ultimately, the Brandenburg Gate is much more than just an architectural masterpiece. It is a sign of the strength we have already found and will always continue to find as long as we act in peaceful unity.

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