Berlin Victory Column: The Symbol of Victorious Germany
Berlin Victory Column (also known as Siegessaule in Germany) is a monument in the city of Berlin in Germany. It is a symbol of Prussia’s victory in the Danish-Prussian War (1864). It was inaugurated on 2nd September 1873. Two other victories in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) and Franco-Prussian War (1870/71) brought with them the addition of the bronze statue on the top of the column. The statue is of Victoria, goddess of victory. Standing at 8.3 meters and weighing 35 tonnes, the Berliners call the statue Goldelse, which translates to ‘Golden Lizzy.’ The original architect of the Berlin Victory Column was Heinrich Strack, while Friedrich Drake designed the bronze statue of Victoria.
Location
Berlin Victory Column is located in the middle of Tiergarten, just opposite to Reichstag in Berlin, Germany.
Weather
With a maritime climate, Berlin has warm and humid summers with average high temperatures between 22-25 degrees Celsius. The average temperature during winters ranges from 3 to -2 degree Celsius. Snowfall takes place in the months from December to March. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year.
The Victory Column
Designed by Anton Von Werner, a glass mosaic accompanies a hall of pillars upon which the column stands. The column consists of four sandstone blocks, out of which three are adorned by canon barrels captured from the defeated enemy from the three unification wars. The fourth block was decorated with golden garlands as it was added later on to the column in 1938 as the column was being relocated.
The column is filled with relief decorations. It serves as an interesting allegorical representation that links German mythological symbols to the country’s imperial past. The frieze bears beautiful letterings and mosaics. They represent Germania, Father Rhine with a crown made of vine leaves, Commander General Von Hattman uniting the north and the south Germany while Napoleon sits on a cloud. The mosaic designed by Anton Von Werner include an allegorical representation of Germania as a breast plated female warrior.
A spiral staircase leads to the top of the column, where visitors can stand on a viewing platform and take delight in the panoramic view of Berlin. From the very platform, a visitor can also view some of the best landmarks of Berlin, namely the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate.
Originally located in Koningplatz, this monument was brought to its current location at Tiergarten by the order of the Nazi government when the plan of turning Berlin into the world capital under the name of Germania was under progress.
Traveling in the city
The city is a delightful combination of art, history and architecture. And some of the world’s best beer is available in Berlin. But, Berlin is just not that. Apart from incredible displays of human mastery of art and nature, Berlin is a city that has a lot of other fun activities in store for its visitors.
The music lovers are in for a treat as Berlin houses The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra- one of the best orchestras in the world. With free lunchtime concerts, every Tuesday from the month of September to June with various other fantastic performances by praiseworthy artists is sure to lure you into visiting this yellow tent like building at least once during your visit.
For the food lover in you, there can be nothing more exciting than the ‘Number 9’ hall, one of the two surviving market halls in Berlin. A stroll around a variety of stalls that are on display from Monday to Friday will leave you with lots of option when it comes to delicious regional delicacies. Save on money by dining out in these market halls as they offer cheap but sumptuous food.
Or you can dance away until dawn on weekends at Clarchens Ballhaus, where with the fervor of partying is mixed with mouth-watering German dishes. Berliners know how to entertain you after all!
And if you are that kind of visitor who enjoy to stop and smell the roses while on your journey, you can treat yourself to a small joint tour of the city. Various websites about Berlin provide walking tours that will help you to relish each and every moment that you spend while exploring architectural wonders in the city. Or you can simply rent out bikes and ride through the city if you are a solo adventurer. No matter how you prefer to travel in Berlin, it will surely be a worthwhile experience for you.
Why visit?
With over 8 million visitors that tour around Berlin annually, it is self-explanatory as to why this city should be on the top of your ‘Must Visit’ places. Berlin is a city that has witnessed a glorious as well as tumultuous past. And it has preserved all the possible remains of the era bygone. If History is a person’s best teacher, then Berlin is the school where one will find it. A multitude of museums wait for you to come and live history. And if it is entertainment that one is looking for, Berlin does not disappoint. You can hang out with your kith and kin at a bar or a club or a restaurant till even late at night. There is no official time for your fun quotient to stop.
Berlin is a city that has survived the past and takes pride in its present. And due to this very reason, the old and the new come together in Berlin to make the city even more appealing to its visitors from across the globe. And if there is a place on this planet that can hold your attention while you are there and changes your perspective towards life, it is Berlin. Every moment you will spend there will become a special memory in your life forever.
Major attractions
- East Side Gallery: The Berlin Wall prevented people from the East from traveling to the West of Berlin. And anyone who tried to cross East Berlin and go to West Berlin was shot. The Wall, hence serves as a cruel reminder of Berlin’s bloody past. Today, only 1.3 kilometers of the previous 160 kilometer stretch of a wall exist. But, over 100 artists from across the world have painted their ideas and thoughts against this cruelty on the Wall, making this a thing of irony, albeit a beautiful and sensible one.
- Reichstag: Reichstag is to Berlin what Sun is to Earth. Reichstag has been present in the city center for a long time now, and even today, visitors flock in to witness the marvel of the building. The entire building is symbolic of transparency in a Government setting, the glass cupola allowing visitors to peep into the Parliament and the Dome shedding light on the workings of the government officials.
- Fernsehturm: The Television Tower is a tall, in fact, the fourth tallest freestanding structure in Europe. One can see as far 42 kilometers away from the top of the tower. There is also a rotating restaurant at the top of the tower. Dine there and experience a complete rotation every half an hour.
What else is around?
- Olympic Stadium
- Holocaust Memorial
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Jewish Museum
- Pergamonmuseum
- Neues Museum
So, book a vacation for your family and enjoy exploring this amazing place. You won’t regret it, we promise!