Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is the most famous landmark of Berlin and a must-see for every visitor to the German capital. It is the only preserved city gate in Berlin and is located on the impressive Pariser Platz in the middle of Berlin. Constructed between 1788 and 1791, this large sandstone gate is the conclusion of the magnificent "Unter den Linden" boulevard. The gate was built on the order of the Prussian King Frederick William II and was inspired by the Propylaea of the Athenian Acropolis. Standing at a height of 85 feet and a width of 205 feet, its large size makes it easy to be seen from many parts of the city. The Quadriga is enthroned on the top of the Brandenburg Gate as a sign of the city's incoming peace. It depicts Victoria, the goddess of victory, on a chariot pulled by four horses. During the division of Germany, the gate was in a restricted area and wasn’t accessible to East or West Berliners. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of German unity. Pariser Platz is home to posh hotels, embassies, mansions, the Academy of Arts and many cafes where you can take a sightseeing break and watch the hustle and bustle of the square. West of the gate is also the Tiergarten, and many other Berlin sights can be explored on foot from here.
