In which country is the Brandenburg Gate located? Brandenburg Gate - one of the main attractions of Berlin
Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the most famous landmarks in Berlin and throughout Germany in general. The gate is directly related to the history of the country: for a long time it was a symbol of the division of Germany.
History of the Brandenburg Gate
This architectural monument was created by order of Friedrich Wilhelm in 1788-1791 by the architect K. G. Langhans, who was a representative of Berlin classicism. The height of the gate reaches 26 meters, and its width is 11 meters. The Brandenburg Gate is made in the ancient Greek style and is a classic portico with Doric columns. On top of the gate is a picture of four horses, controlled by the goddess Victoria. The chariot was created and brought to life by the German sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow.
19th century
In 1806, after the capture of Berlin by Napoleon, the quadriga was dismantled and taken to Paris as a war trophy. But already in 1814 she returned to her homeland again. Then the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel contributes to the composition and decorates the goddess Victoria with an iron cross topped with an eagle.
20th century
In the 30s The Brandenburg Gate becomes a regular site for Nazi parades and torchlight processions. Thus, the Nazis wanted to make the famous historical monument their symbol.
After Soviet troops broke into Berlin during World War II, the city was practically destroyed. This also affected the Brandenburg Gate: the chariot and the goddess Victoria received great damage. The gate was restored only 11 years later (1956), and the quadriga was restored only 13 years later (1958).
In 1961, the political situation in the world worsened, resulting in the Berlin Crisis, when a split occurred in Germany and it was divided into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. It was in Berlin, on the site where the historical monument is located, that the Berlin Wall was built, dividing the city into socialist and capitalist camps. At that time, the passage through the famous gate was blocked, so neither residents of West Berlin nor residents of East Berlin could get to the Brandenburg Gate. Thus, the monument stood isolated from people and other structures until 1989.
In December 1989, Germany was reunified, resulting in the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the opening of the Brandenburg Gate. Thus, the famous landmark of Germany became a symbol of the unification of the country.
Delving into the history of the city, it is worth visiting the Reichstag, known as one of the most important symbols of Berlin.
Brandenburger Tor – Brandenburg Gate
GPS coordinates: 52° 30" 58"" N, 13° 22" 40"" E
Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin
An architectural monument in the style of Berlin classicism, which is the main symbol of Berlin and one of its most famous attractions. Located in the central part of the city at the western end in front of Paris Square.
The Gate of Peace, as it was originally called, was built by Prussian architect Karl Gottgard Langhans in 1789-1791. He took the Propylaea in front of the Acropolis in Athens as a model. The bronze quadriga, ruled by the goddess of victory Victoria, as well as the decoration of the Facade, was made by the German sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow.
When Napoleon conquered Berlin, he took the quadriga to. But after his defeat in 1814, the quadriga was returned. Then the goddess received a reward - in her hands appeared a Prussian iron cross, topped with an eagle, by Friedrich Schinkel. During World War II, the Brandenburg Gate was heavily damaged and the quadriga was destroyed. In 1956-1958 the gate was restored, and a new quadriga was installed at the top - an exact copy of the original one.
When the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was located on its line and was blocked on both sides. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the gates were opened again and on December 22, 1989, Western Chancellor Helmut Kohl, passing through them, solemnly welcomed Eastern Prime Minister Hans Modrow. Thus the gate became a symbol of freedom and unification.
The Brandenburg Gate consists of five aisles formed by six pairs of Doric columns. The height of the structure is 26 meters. On the north side of the gate, in the former guardhouse, there is the Hall of Silence. Traffic through the gate is prohibited and here, as well as on the Parisian Square located in front of it on the eastern side, there is a pedestrian zone.
Paris Square strictly rectangular in shape has existed since 1734 and then it was called “Quadrangle”. It received its modern name in 1814 in honor of its capture by Prussian troops. During World War II, all the buildings on the square were destroyed, and the modern environment is the result of restoration work after the unification in 1991.
On the south side of the square near the Brandenburg Gate is the US Embassy, next to it is the Dresdner Bank building. The glass building houses the Berlin Academy of Arts. The building was erected according to the design of Academy members Günter Behnisch, Manfred Zabatke and Werner Durth on the site of the destroyed Arnim Palace, which housed the Prussian Academy of Arts. Nearby in the corner is the restored building of the famous Adlon Hotel. Next, on the north side, is the Kennedy Museum and Embassy
Berlin (and all of Germany) is the Brandenburg Gate. Photos of this architectural monument have been replicated in millions of postcards and posters. The significance of the Brandenburg Gate for the Germans themselves is interesting. For a long time they were a symbol of the division of Germany. But now they represent the unity and inviolability of the country. Who created this architectural masterpiece of the Classical era? What does the sculptural group on the pediment of the gate mean? Why exactly did they become so significant for the Germans? You will learn about this from this article.
History of the Brandenburg Gate
Berlin, like all ancient cities, was once surrounded by a defensive wall. There were roads going through the gates in different directions. Cities grew and expanded, old fortifications were demolished and new ones were built. Since the nineteenth century, with the development of artillery, the need for city walls disappeared. In most cities they were demolished to make way for circular boulevards. The Brandenburg Gate is the only element of Berlin's defensive fortifications that has withstood the destructive trends of progress. They were created not so long ago - in 1791, and at the time of the decision to get rid of the city walls they had not yet fallen into decay. In addition, they were a decoration of the city: they were not just an entrance, but a kind of work of art. Therefore, it was decided to leave them.
Where is the Brandenburg Gate
They once marked the exit from the city. But now, when Berlin has turned into a huge metropolis, the location of the gate began to be called the center, the Mitte quarter. A more precise address is Paris Square. It is located on one side of the gate. The street Unter den Linden (Linden Alley) abuts Paris Square. On the other side of the gate lies Platz des 18. März. From this square begins the street "17 June", crossing the Tjergarten quarter. It’s hard to imagine now, but from August 13, 1961 until November 1989, this gate was a real border. They separated West Berlin from the GDR. The Berliners could not approach this monument from either side. Therefore, the Brandenburg Gate in the minds of the Germans has long been considered a symbol of the division of the nation. The Berlin Wall was destroyed in November 1989. And now this building symbolizes the unification of all of Germany.
Artistic value
The Brandenburg Gate is one of the latest in the city fortifications of Berlin. They began to be built in 1789 by order of the King of Prussia, Frederick William II. In the Age of Enlightenment, these city gates played not so much a defensive as a decorative role. Every traveler arriving in Berlin had to be captivated by their beauty. Therefore, the king entrusted the work of creating them to the famous master of that time, Karl Gottgard Langhans. This architect was an ardent supporter of classicism. The creation of the Brandenburg Gate was inspired by the Propylaea of the Athenian Acropolis. Initially, their façade was crowned by the chariot of the goddess Irene. And that is why they were called the Gates of the World. The façade was decorated by the sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow. Goddess Irene, as a wise peacemaker, held a laurel wreath in her hand. The height of the gate was impressive - twenty-six meters. Other parameters were no less monumental: length - 65.5 m, and width - 11 s. One quadriga of the goddess, decorating the snow-white facade, was six meters in height.
How the Peace Gate became Brandenburg
In 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte entered Berlin with troops. The Emperor was impressed by the beauty of the Gate of Peace. He ordered the chariot of the goddess Irene to be dismantled and taken to Paris. He intended to display it along with other trophies as a sign of his conquest of Europe. But after the defeat of Napoleonic army in 1814, the quadriga was found. It wasn't even unpacked from the box. So they took me back to Berlin. However, now the chariot on the Brandenburg Gate symbolized not peace, but retribution. And the Berliners renamed Irene Victoria, the goddess of victory. On this occasion, an iron cross and an eagle (created by F. Schinkel) were added to the laurel wreath in the hands of the Olympic figure. However, the war chariot was turned to the east. And this was not a good sign.
Victoria and the wars
When the sculpture on the Brandenburg Gate began to be perceived as the goddess of victory, the role of the Brandenburg Gate changed. They were no longer the usual, “peaceful” decor of the capital. Crowned with the German eagle, they became the embodiment of the warlike spirit of the nation, somewhat akin to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. That's why the victors of the Franco-Prussian War marched through the Brandenburg Gate in 1871. In 1918-20, they became an arena for a parade of counter-revolutionary soldiers. In 1933, torchlight processions, marches and celebrations of the National Socialist Party began to take place against the backdrop of the Brandenburg Gate. During the Second World War, the once “Peace Gate” was greatly damaged by bombing. And the chariot of Victoria - the German Victory - was completely destroyed. Only the head of one of the four horses survived, which is now kept in the museum.
Restoration of the monument
For a long time - from 1945 to 1956 - the USSR flag flew over the dilapidated Brandenburg Gate. In 1957 it was replaced by the banner of the German Democratic Republic. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, no flags fly over the gates. They again became a symbol of peace. But the Brandenburg Gate rose from the ruins. The decision to restore them was made immediately after the end of the war. Many photographs have been preserved from which it was possible to recreate the architectural monument of the city. In nineteen fifty-six it was completely restored. And Victoria’s quadriga took its place only in 1958.
Contemporary ensemble
In 1989, the Berlin Wall, which had separated the city and the country for almost thirty years, fell (and was sold off for souvenirs). The Brandenburg Gate, the photo of which became the hallmark of the entire united Germany, once again appeared in all its glory. Before that, they were blocked from the west by the monumental Berlin Wall. And from the east there is a small but carefully guarded fence. The gate was located in the eastern sector, but protruded into the territory of West Berlin. For political reasons, the area around them was cleared of buildings. Now these buildings have also been restored. Paris Square is a single ensemble. On its northern side are the French Embassy and Dresdner Bank, and on the southern side are the Academy of Arts, the Adlon Hotel and DG-Bank.
The significance of the Brandenburg Gate for modern Germany
The Brandenburg Gate is not just a beautiful architectural landmark, an ancient monument or a calling card of Berlin, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or Big Ben in London. They played a huge role in the modern history of Germany. It was with them that the collapse of the Berlin Wall began. Therefore, for all Germans this gate has a symbolic meaning. They are used during many significant events. For example, at the World Athletics Championships, marathon runners started from the Brandenburg Gate. This may not be the oldest landmark in Berlin. After all, the gate is only two hundred and twenty-four years old. But they are the most recognizable landmark in all of Germany.
The Brandenburg Gate (in German Brandenburger Tor) is unanimously considered one of the main symbols, the “calling card” of Berlin. There are many reasons for this: their location, their rich history, and impressive appearance. The 20-meter-high structure of 12 columns arranged in 6 rows, topped with a 6-meter sculpture, is loved by both tourists and local residents.
The building is made in the spirit of classicism and, accordingly, quotes ancient buildings. Subsequently, the gate set the architectural style of the entire capital of Germany. They have been carefully restored for centuries, no matter what happens to them. Thanks to this, to this day we can see them not worn out or modernized.
Brandenburg Gate in panorama - Google Maps
The gate rises in the very center of the city, which provides you with the opportunity to spend your leisure time as varied as possible with a minimum investment of time. Near the gate there are several museums and historical sites, such as the Unter den Linden street and the legendary Reichstag.
Story
What seems surprising is that the gate survived wars, devastation, and damage, but ultimately retained its original appearance today thanks to high-quality restoration. The centuries-old history of the landmark in the 20th century was divided into two eras: before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Before the wall falls
During the Renaissance, the gates were only part of the city's fortress and served an exclusively practical function. But later, at the end of the 18th century, through the efforts of Karl Gottgard Langhans, they were turned into the monumental Arc de Triomphe, and marked the beginning of the classicist tradition in Prussian architecture.
The gate was decorated with a sculpture depicting the goddess of victory Victoria on a chariot drawn by 4 horses. This work by sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow was called “Quadriga of Victory.” It was this element of architecture that subsequently took the greatest damage.
Napoleon was the first to disturb the quadriga. Having conquered Berlin, he ordered the chariot to be transported from the gates to Paris. After the victory over Napoleon, she was returned to Berlin and decorated with the Iron Cross.
Later, soldiers celebrated their victory at the gate: the victors in the Franco-Prussian War, the counter-revolutionaries. Here the National Socialists rejoiced after winning the elections in 1933. Afterwards, during the Second World War, the so carefully preserved quadriga was completely destroyed and restored only more than 10 years later: in 1958. From 1945 to 1957, the USSR flag flew in its place.
On August 13, 1961, at the time of the construction of the Berlin Wall, the gate and quadriga were completely restored. Now they were crowned with the GDR flag and the constructed fence blocked the view of the historically important site to both parts of the country.
After the wall fell
In 1989, the need for the Berlin Wall disappeared, and it was gradually dismantled, again uniting the western and eastern parts of the German capital with a gate. At first, the part was left as a souvenir, but vandals constantly attacked it: they tried to destroy it, covered it with graffiti, etc.
Now there is no trace left of the wall at the gate. Since 1990, the Brandenburg Gate has become a symbol of the unity of the German people and received a second name - the Gate of Peace. They have become part of the modern Parisian Square. City festivals of various sizes are constantly held here.
To the side you will find the “Hall of Silence” - it is equipped primarily for residents of modern Germany. Here they can silently reflect and honor the memory of their ancestors, who, generation after generation, experienced a series of tragic events. Some of them subsequently died, others kept the memory of the past, and now everyone can pay tribute to them in the hall at the gate.
Visiting an attraction
To begin with, in the square near the gate you will find entertainment, temporary (related to holidays) and permanent. Basically, you will be offered a ride: on a Segway, on various fancy bicycles or - what is especially atmospheric - on a horse-drawn chariot.
You can dine nearby in restaurants serving Indian, Italian, Asian and German cuisine. The legendary Starbucks coffee shop is also within walking distance.
There is a pharmacy right at the Brandenburger Tor stop for emergencies. And if you like Parisian Square and want to start every day in Berlin with a look at the Brandenburg Gate, you can stay in one of two hotels also located nearby.
It is also worth noting the proximity of the gate to the large green Tiergarten park, where anyone can find their favorite corner and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the world. It was once the hunting forest of kings, but is now accessible to everyone and equipped accordingly.
How to get to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate is located in the central part of the city, on Pariser Platz, at Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin.
By public transport
The Brandenburger Tor stop in Berlin is served by buses No. 100, S1 and TXL and commuter trains S1, S2, S25 and S26. Also not far from the gate there is a bus stop Behrenstr./Wilhelmstr. — buses No. 200 and N2 go to it.
Route from Tegel Airport to Brandenburg Gate in Berlin - Google Maps
By car
It will be even easier to get there by car. This is the busiest part of Berlin, close to the major thoroughfares Federal Road 2 and Ebertstraße. You can call a taxi: international services Uber and Kiwitaxi operate.
Video about the Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is the main attraction and historical symbol of Germany, which deserves everyone's attention. Most recently, this monument celebrated a significant date - 220 years since its official opening. Many times, at the foot of the gate, the most important historical events unfolded and blood was shed. For several decades they reminded of the split of the country into two parts, and today they have become a symbol of the unity of the nation.
Construction attractions
In 1789, under the leadership of the architect Karl Gottgard Lannhans, the Gate of Peace was laid. Modern critics believe that it was this master who founded Berlin classicism. The architect took the works of ancient builders as the basis for his creation. Many see in the majestic columns of the gate Doric features of the columns of the Athenian Acropolis.
To give the gates a special elegance, they were ordered to be completely covered with snow-white paint just before opening. This idea was suggested to Lannhans by his friend and sculptor Johann Schadow. He also worked on creating a four-horse carriage with Victoria (the Roman goddess of victory). The statue crowns the arch and reaches a height of 6 meters. The goddess's appearance faces the eastern side of Berlin. The fate of the sculpture is almost more tragic than the arch itself.
Description of the Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate features a triumphal arch, an almost complete copy of the Propylaea on the Parthenon. The total height of the structure is 26 m. It is installed on six supports 11 m wide. Each of the supports consists of paired Doric columns. The total length of the gate is 65 m. The monument was built from stone blocks, which were later lined with sandstone.
A six-meter sculpture is installed on the carved ceiling. It depicts a carriage drawn by four horses under the control of the goddess Victoria. In the year of the presentation, Victoria clutched an olive branch in her hand, symbolizing peace. After the quadriga returned from France, the branch was replaced with a cross.
There are 5 passages between the pillars of the Brandenburg Gate. The middle corridor is the widest. It was intended for ceremonial processions of rulers and crowned guests. The side passages were intended for the passage and passage of ordinary citizens. In each opening on the sides there were niches with statues of gods. The ceilings are decorated with engravings and reliefs with allegorical meaning.
To the north of the monument you can see a modest building that housed a guard. Today it houses a “hall of silence”, where every visitor can reflect on the difficult fate of those who fell at the Brandenburg Gate.
The complex fate of the monument
Since its opening, the Brandenburg Gate has become the most majestic monument in Germany. The Germans were very proud of it, and tourists admired its beauty. When Napoleon Bonaparte found himself with troops in the capital of Germany during the First World War, he ordered the quadriga to be immediately removed and sent to Paris. The Victory Statue, in his opinion, could not remain in Germany. Thus began the difficult fate of this beautiful landmark.
When Napoleon's army was defeated, and he himself was sent to while away the last days of his life on a tiny island, the quadriga took its rightful place. Since the sculpture received some damage, it was restored and slightly modified. Now a cross appeared in the hands of the Victorious - an honorary insignia for the bravest of German soldiers.
At the beginning of 1871, a column of victorious soldiers of the Franco-Prussian battle marched through the Brandenburg Gate. This column became a symbol of the formation of the German Empire. Decades later, the soldiers who helped destroy the empire and proclaimed the German Republic passed through here.
In 1933, the era of fascism began. The gate columns are tightly hung with German flags with swastikas. Now the National Socialists marched beneath them. After Adolf Hitler came to power and the outbreak of World War II, many historical and cultural monuments in Germany were damaged or completely razed to the ground.
In 1945, the square at the Brandenburg Gate became the scene of the final battles between Nazi and Soviet troops. Exhausted by a long war and torn by hatred, the soldiers sought to destroy the architecture of the city from which the hated tyrant gave orders.
The condition of the Brandenburg Columns by mid-1945 was very deplorable. The supports and arches were completely covered with holes from bullets and larger shells. Hundreds of mutilated bodies covered all available space. One of the last shells fired in Berlin was aimed at the winner's quadriga and hit the target. Not a trace remains of the famous sculpture. Instead, the scarlet banner of the Soviets fluttered over the gates for 12 years.
In 1957, the flag of the GDR was hoisted in place of the Soviet banner, and a year later the government of the GDR, with the consent of the USSR, began to restore the quadriga. For a long time, the landmark became inaccessible to German residents on both sides of the wall. It was impossible to get to it from the western side of the country because of the Berlin Wall, and an equally high fence grew from the East so that the Germans could not approach the gate. Only in 1989, when the Berlin Wall was completely destroyed, were the Germans able to pass under the majestic arches of the gate.
Since the country's unification, the Brandenburg Gate has become the main symbol of unity, uniting divided families of one nation. The very fact of unhindered passage under the gate evoked a feeling of euphoria among people. However, the lavish festivities in 1989 were somewhat overshadowed: the famous quadriga was damaged during the celebrations and was again removed for repairs. About a year and a half later, the statue of Victoria was installed in its usual place so that the landmark could appear before the audience in all its splendor.
Brandenburg Gate today
The Brandenburg Gate is the most beloved and interesting landmark, which managed to survive difficult events and survive. You can admire their grandeur at the border of the two central districts of the capital (Mitte and Tiergarten). The structure separates the city park and Unter den Linden street.
You should definitely come to the Brandenburg Gate after sunset. Modern and very thoughtful illumination makes them shine with new colors. The columns and quadriga seem to rush towards the sky and move slowly in the twilight.
Paris Square is very popular with street performers, travelers and youth groups, so it is impossible to be alone near the gate. The most deserted hours are the early morning hours.
The square at the Brandenburg Gate serves as an arena for performances, concerts and ceremonies in honor of fallen soldiers. Any resident of Berlin will remember with admiration how the concert of the Scorpions group and the Rostropovich orchestra took place on the anniversary of the fall of the unification of Berlin.
How to get there
The Brandenburg Gate is located a little west of the city center, on Parisian Square. To get to them, you should use the metro (line U55), as well as commuter trains. You need to get off at the Brandenburger Tor stop.
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