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Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is Germany's most famous landmark and a premier example of German Classicism. It was commissioned by Prussian King Frederick William II and built between 1788 and 1791 by the architect Carl Gotthard Langhans. The design is modeled after the Propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens and marks the western end of the Unter den Linden boulevard. Atop the gate stands the Quadriga, a sculpture of the goddess of victory, Victoria, in a chariot drawn by four horses, which was taken to Paris by Napoleon in 1806 and returned in 1814. During the Cold War, the gate stood directly at the Berlin Wall in the restricted zone, becoming a symbol of the city's division. Following the fall of the Wall on November 9, 1989, its significance shifted to represent German unity and reunification. Today, the Pariser Platz in front of the gate is a central venue for political rallies, anniversary celebrations, and international state visits.
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Top sights: Brandenburg Gate · Max-Liebermann-Haus · Academy of Arts
- Nearby: Prenzlauer Berg (4 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 53 | 38 | 41 | 29 | 53 | 57 | 81 | 58 | 48 | 48 | 50 | 47 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The gate is 26 meters high, 65.5 meters wide, and 11 meters deep.
- The Quadriga sculpture was created by Johann Gottfried Schadow.
- Originally, the central passage was reserved for the Prussian nobility.
- The structure is made of Elbe sandstone and features twelve Doric columns.
- Total destruction during World War II was narrowly avoided.
- After 1989, the gate was extensively restored for nearly 4 million euros.
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Notable places around
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Sights in the town Brandenburg Gate (10)
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is in Berlin. It commemorates the victims of National Socialism.
Madame Tussauds🏛 museum
Madame Tussauds is a wax museum in Berlin. It displays wax figures of celebrities.
Reichstag dome
The Reichstag dome is an addition by Norman Foster (1995-1999). It has a view over Berlin.
Reichstag Building
The Reichstag Building is the seat of the German Bundestag. It is located in Berlin.
Marschallbrücke
Marschallbrücke is a road bridge over the Spree in the Berlin district of Mitte.
Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Steg
Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Steg is a pedestrian bridge between parliamentary buildings in Berlin.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
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Brandenburg Gate: where is it located?
Brandenburg Gate: what is there to see?
Brandenburg Gate: when is the best time to visit?
Brandenburg Gate: why is it worth visiting?
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