Brandenburg Gate

One of Berlin's most famous landmarks is certainly Brandenburg Gate. The majestic stone building overlooks Pariser Platz and the numerous people who take in the special aura of the German capital every day. Numerous musicians and street artists transform the surroundings of this Berlin visitor magnet into a colourful bustle. The magnificent city gate looks especially wonderful after sunset, when countless spotlights light it up in a warm, atmospheric light - a unique sight.

The history of the Brandenburg Gate

The eye-catcher of Berlin was built between 1789 and 1793 on behalf of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II. The building plans were drawn by Carl Gotthard Langhans, one of the city's biggest architects. Berlin's only city gate, which still exists today, separates boulevard Unter den Linden from Dorotheenstadt. When the Berlin Wall was constructed in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate also represented the division between East and West. However, the building itself was in the restricted area and could not be crossed from either side. At the time of reunification in 1989, the restriction was finally lifted and the gate was ceremoniously reopened.

The sights today

Today, the Brandenburg Gate above all represents German unity, freedom, and democracy. The Room of Silence is now located in one of the two outbuildings. If you would like to recover from a strenuous sightseeing day, you can find a place to relax and meditate here. Tourist information is also available here. At the foot of the attraction, the pedestrian zone also hosts lively events of various kinds several times a year.

Architecture and surroundings

The sandstone triumphal monument dates from the Early Classicist period and consists of the gate in the middle and two annexes on the left and right sides. Six columns in two rows each support the horizontal brickwork on which the statue of the goddess of victory Viktoria sits enthroned in a chariot with four horses - the quadriga. With a total height of 26m and a width of 62.5m, the symbol of the capital cannot be overlooked. Many other sights are within walking distance, such as the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, the Victory Column, and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Discover Berlin

The Berlin WelcomeCard is available directly at the Tourist Info point at the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin's official tourist ticket has already been sold over 12 million times and allows you free travel on all public transport systems, such as the subway, bus, suburban railway, tram and ferry operated by the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe BVG. So you can get on the train at the Brandenburg Gate stop and explore other sights, such as the Berlin Cathedral and the TV Tower. In addition, with the WelcomeCard you receive up to a 50% discount on entrance fees for over 200 attractions.