The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany is one of the most significant landmarks of the country. It was built in a period of three years (1788-1791) by an architect named Carl Gotthard Langhans. The Gate was initially commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a symbol of peace. But, The Brandenburg Gate has witnessed darker days of History as well. It became a pawn in the power struggle between East and West Germany. But, later on, the same monument became a medium through which peace and unity between the opposing parties were established.
The Brandenburg Gate is one of those rare monuments in the history of time that has stood intact, albeit through widespread efforts of concerned citizens, to speak of bygone times, tumultuous as well as glorious.
Location
The Brandenburg Gate is located in the city of Berlin in Germany. More precisely, it is located in the western part of the city, at a place where Unter den Linden and Ebestrabe meet. The building that houses the German Parliament (also known as Bundestag) lies to the north of the Gate.
Weather
January is the coldest month in Berlin, with an average temperature of -1 degrees. The hottest month is July, with 18 degrees as the average temperature, while June is the wettest month, with an average of 71mm of rainfall.
So, the best time to visit the gate is anywhere from the months of February to May and from August to December.
History
The Brandenburg Gate was built between the years 1788-1791. Initially, only the royal family could pass through it. After the Second World War, the gate suffered massive damage. It was later reconstructed in 1961 by German authorities.
The Berlin Wall built to separate the East, from West Berlin made the gate inaccessible to West Berlin for almost two decades. After in 1989, the Wall had been taken down, the Gate was opened to the public once more. The Gate was refurbished once more in 2002.
Right from the 18th century till date, the Gate has been a scene for various events, protestations as well as celebrations and ceremonies.
The Brandenburg Gate
The Gate was first completely constructed in the year 1791. It served as the main entry point into the city of Berlin. The Gate was adorned with a statue on top of it, called the ‘Quadriga.’ It depicted the goddess of victory driving a chariot pulled by four horses. For the next ten years, the statue stayed at its position, unharmed.
It was when Napoleon and his vast army captured Berlin that the statue was dismantled and carried away to Paris under Napoleon’s command. After it had been removed from Brandenburg Gate, the statue was forgotten about until 1814, when the Prussian troops invaded Paris. They returned the Quadriga to Berlin, and it was once more restored as the pride of Brandenburg Gate. And this time, an iron cross was added to the statue, symbolising Prussia’s military victory over France. The cross was removed during the Era of Communism. It was restored for the one last time during the 1990s, the decade that witnessed the unification of Germany.
The Gate, on the evening of January 30, 1933, served as the passage for the procession of thousands of brown shirted Nazi Members, when Adolf Hitler became the chancellor of Germany. Although the end of World War II brought with it insurmountable damage to Germany (especially to Berlin), The Brandenburg Gate was one of those few monuments of the country that survived the destruction. Although it was heavily damaged, it stood its ground and was later reconstructed by the East as well as West German authorities just before the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.
Once the wall was up, the Brandenburg Gate, which was then in East Berlin, became inaccessible to people from the West Berlin.
In 1987, Ronald Reagan visited Germany to celebrate the city’s 750th Anniversary. He called out to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev by saying: “Tear down this wall.” Two years later in 1989, the Wall began to come down, and it paved the way for the unification of Germany once more. Brandenburg Gate once again became accessible to people from West Germany.
On the 2nd and 3rd October 1990, the Gate served as the scene for the ceremony that marked the reunification of Germany. At the midnight of 3rd October, the flag of West Germany was acknowledged as the flag of united Germany and was hosted over Brandenburg Gate.
The Gate has served as a backdrop for numerous political addresses by various eminent personalities across the globe. U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke about peace after the end of the Cold War in Europe. U.S. President Barrack Obama talked about nuclear arms reduction as well as the newly revealed internet surveillance activities in the United States at the Brandenburg Gate in 2013. Angela Markel, chancellor of Germany, walked through the gate with Mikhail Gorbachev and Lech Walesa at the 20th anniversary of the day that marked the fall of the Berlin Wall in 2009.
Travelling in the City
Berlin is known for its history. Both the World Wars and the era of Communism, everything began in Berlin. The city speaks to history lovers in its unique way. If you are an avid or aspiring historian, or even if you are just curious about the people that witnessed the tumultuous events in European history, there is no better place than Berlin to do it.
Even if you are not a history buff, and you are just looking to have some plain old fun, underground bars and pubs in Berlin will give you an evening, you will never forget. If you are a shopaholic, you can browse the best brands in Berlin with the small, vintage shops that will take your breath away.
Berlin is a city where every day something major is happening. It might be a rock show or a great play; there isn’t a day in Berlin when something remarkable is not going on. This city and its people do not judge anyone, and once you step into the city, you will find that everyone here is just being themselves. The best part about Berlin is that a city so vibrant and vintage has something on its plate for everyone who visits.
Why Visit?
You will never be short of reasons to visit this amazing city of Berlin. And, as far as the Brandenburg Gate is concerned, it will be a sin actually to be in Berlin and not visit such a magnificent monument. The Gate is not magnificent only because it is a big one. It is magnanimous because it is a silent spectator to the most controversial events in history that has changed the way human beings look at freedom as well as democracy.
The Gate has witnessed both the World Wars, and it hasn’t turned to dust in any of them. It has been a huge part of the time Germany was going through a divide. Initially a symbol of division, it has now become symbolic of freedom and unity. Very few monuments in the history of time have remained intact to witness numerous political changes.
The moment you glance at the Gate, you feel the rush of history and nostalgia coursing through your veins. A monument that has been engulfed in political gambles for years and years, but emerged out of them unscathed is sure to make your jaw drop in awe. The architecture of the Gate is a cherry on the cake.
Major Attractions
Reichstag: The Government Building has a glass dome from where you can keep a bird’s- eye view of the hustle bustle down in the city. The building is surrounded by various other government buildings.
Berlin Television Tower: The Berlin Television Tower (also known as Fersehturm) is the tallest building in Germany. It offers a panoramic view of Berlin, which makes it a major attraction for the tourists.
Berlin Cathedral: The Berlin Cathedral is a brilliant example of the aesthetic architecture of the 19th Century.
Gendarmenmarkt: This place is one of the most amazing squares in the country. It is home to three exemplary architectural examples in Berlin: The Concert House and two French Cathedrals (The Deutscher Dom and Franzosischer Dom).
Charlottenburg Palace: It is located in the centre of the city. It houses a beautiful and rare collection of china and paintings. It is surrounded by a picturesque garden and just beside the Palace is River Spree.
Museum Island: This one is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and houses Berlin’s best exhibition centres, namely The Altes Museum, Neues Museum, Pergamon Museum and much more.
The Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre: This place includes a Memorial to the Victims of the Wall, a Chapel of Reconciliation as well as a Documentation Centre.