Brandenburg Gate

The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) stands as Berlin's most iconic landmark and one of the most recognizable symbols of Germany. This magnificent neoclassical monument was built between 1788 and 1791 during the reign of Frederick William II of Prussia, designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans and modeled after the Propylaea, the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. The gate features twelve Doric columns forming five passageways, topped by the famous Quadriga - a chariot drawn by four horses driven by Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory. Originally designed as a symbol of peace, the gate has witnessed many of the most important events in German and European history. During the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate found itself in the death strip of the Berlin Wall, becoming an enduring symbol of a divided city and nation. It was inaccessible to both East and West Berliners from 1961 to 1989. When the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989, the gate became the focal point of German reunification celebrations, with thousands of people gathering to celebrate the end of division. Today, the Brandenburg Gate stands as a powerful symbol of German unity and European integration. Located at the western end of Unter den Linden boulevard, it serves as the backdrop for many significant political events and celebrations. The surrounding Pariser Platz has been beautifully restored and is home to luxury hotels, embassies, and the Academy of Arts. The gate is illuminated at night and has become one of the most photographed landmarks in Europe.