Brandenburg Gate: From No Man's Land to Arch of Triumph

Brandenburg Gate Facts

Germany's most recognizable symbol traces its history to the 18th century, when it was commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia, as a symbol of peace. Built by Carl Gotthard Langhans between 1788 to 1791, its design was based upon the Propylaea, the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. This is in line with Berlin's love affair with architectural classicism, first Baroque, then neo-Palladian. Quadriga, the chariot drawn by four horses and driven by Victoria, the Winged Goddess of Victory, graces the top of the gate. It was seized by Napoleon as a war trophy and taken to Paris in 1806, only to be restored 8 years later.
The Nazis marched here in 1933 in a chilling martial torchlight parade to announce Hitler's victory. Though the gate was damaged by the bullets and explosions of World War II, it remained standing. In 1963, John F. Kennedy famously announced 'Ich bin ein Berliner' at the gate, shortly after the Soviet regime erected the Berlin Wall to restrict movement from East to West. The Brandenburg Gate was finally restored to its former glory in 2002, thanks to the Berlin Monument Conservation Foundation.

The Brandenburg Gate Today

Today, the Brandenburg Gate is closed to vehicular traffic, and serves as a sublime backdrop to concerts, live screenings of sporting events, and New Year's Eve fireworks, when the atmosphere is absolutely electric. Following their 2014 World Cup win, the German national football team held their victory parade here. The gate is also beautifully lit at night.
Nearby is the Berliner Dom, the Parliament Building, and the Jewish Holocaust Memorial. Alight at metro stop Unter den Linden — the sight of the gate slowly coming into view while climbing the metro steps is one that most travelers don't forget.
Visit the Brandenburg Gate when in Berlin — it's phenomenal and free!

Planning your trip to Berlin? Check out our favorite hotels near Brandenburg Gate.

Author: David Rickerson-Seidel

Guest Relations Manager at NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse

My name is David Rickerson-Seidel and I have been part of the NH Hotel Group since September 2015 when the first NH Collection Hotel opened in Germany. After 16 years of hotel experience, I was offered a great chance to meet people from all over the world and each time I was able to learn from them – this is one of the reason why I love my position as a Guest Relation Manager. My daily task is to fulfil our guest’s needs before they actually asking for it. With my passion for my job it is always a great pleasure to see our guests happy and smiling before they leave the hotel and I know that we have done the job right. I always say that the only thing that a guest can’t buy and book in advance is our smiling receptionist with a warm welcoming, the friendly breakfast host who would like to know if you slept well, and our elusive room maid, who is preparing the room so that it feels like home – our employees make the difference – this is why you are not checking into your room at a terminal. Whatever you need – we are always there for you.