Brandenburger Tor, Berlin

This monument is, of course, a must see for any Berlin visitor. My recommendation is just to take the time to walk around the gate from both sides to take in the atmosphere of this long time focal point of Berlin. On the eastern side, in Pariser Platz, be sure to peek into the bank building on the south side of the square to see the huge interior sculpture designed by the North American architect Frank O. Gehry, famous for the museum in Bilbao, Spain. The embassy on the north side is worth taking note of, as well as the new British embassy on the side street heading south - with its original and whimsical architecture.
In case you've heard that the statue on the top had been switched around during the DDR years, as stated in at least one popular guidebook, this is just an untrue rumor - or so say my Berliner friends say.

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Pictures taken in Mechelen, near Brussels, but reminding me at the history of Berlin and Germany in general, the actually "Dream Cars" after the cold war, the car industry had the golden years, Ford... VW...DKW... and of course the friendly people, BTW... In the USA you will find a lot of second car plates like shown in the first picture

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The Brandenburg Gate consists of twelve Roman Doric columns, six on each side. This allows for five roadways, although originally ordinary citizens were only allowed to use the outer two. Above the gate is the Quadriga, with the goddess of peace driving it (the Quadriga) in triumph. The gate stands 26 m (65 ft) high, 65.5 m (213 ft) wide and 11 m (36 ft) thick.

Finally, when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the gate symbolized freedom and the unity of the city. It re-opened on 22 December 1989 when the West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl walked through to be greeted by the East German Prime Minister, Hans Modrow.

I would have loved to have been there when the wall came crashing down.

The gate now symbolises unity.

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The Brandenburg Gate was constructed in 1791 and stand as a focal point at the western end of Unter den Linden. It is the only remaining gate of 18 that once stood around Berlin. It was built as a triumphal arch celebrating the Prussian capital. The Brandenburg Gate has been damaged over the years with the last renovation taking place in 2000 at a cost of 3,000,000 dollars. On top of the gate stands a Quadriga with the goddess of peace driving it. Over the years it has had an eventful life from being carted off by the French after the Napoleon conquered Berlin to facing in different directions. During the life of the Berlin Wall it stood in isolation as a sad reminder of those events, but immediately became a place of celebration when the wall came down

Probably the most photographed monument in all of Germany. In Cold War Times, the Brandenburg Gate was in the Eastern communist part of Germany (GDR). The Berlin Wall was only a few meters apart; no trespassing, so you had to use a viewing platform to get a better view. Hard to imagine nowadays.

From the Brandenburg Gate, other monuments like the Reichstag and the Government Quarter, the "Siegessäule" and the Holocaust Memorial are in walking distance.

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The Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and the symbol of Berlin. It is located between the Pariser Platz and the Platz des 18. März and is the only remaining gate of a series through which one formerly entered Berlin.
It constitutes the monumental termination of Unter den Linden, the renowned boulevard of Lime trees which led directly to the royal residence. It was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II as a sign of peace and built from 1791.
The Brandenburg Gate consists of twelve Roman Doric columns.The design of the gate was based on the Propylea, the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens.
Finally, when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the gate symbolized freedom and the unity of the city. It re-opened on 22 December 1989 when the West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl walked through to be greeted by the East German Prime Minister.
The Berlin Quadriga on the gate is probably the most famous in the world.

It was a wonderful emotion to stroll through under the gate, this time from the West to the East of the town. Reminded same time that last I stood on the east side and could only have a look westward, but not go. :))

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Germany's most recognisable symbol is not as large as many visitors expect, yet its history is rich and fascinating. Built in 1791, the Brandenburg Gate was modelled on the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. The Quadriga statue on top of the Gate - designed by sculptor Gottfried Schadow - represents Victoria, the Goddess of Peace, riding a four-horse chariot. This was one of Berlin's original 14 city gates, yet the only remaining evidence of the other gates are the names of underground stations such as Kottbusser Tor and Schlesisches Tor. The Brandenburg Gate and Pariser Platz have played centre stage to numerous turbulent historical events. In 1806 Napoleonic troops took the Quadriga statue back to Paris as a war trophy, only to have it returned to Berlin when the French lost the war. And during the Nazi era Pariser Platz was the Nazis' favourite backdrop for torch-lit processions and military parades. The Gate sustained heavy damage during World War II and was restored in the 1950s. After the Berlin Wall was erected in 1961, the Brandenburg Gate became inaccessible to the citizens of both Germanys and came to be regarded as the symbol of Cold War divisions. When the Wall fell on 9 November 1989, hundreds of thousands flocked here to celebrate the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new world order. The north wing of the Gate houses a 'quiet room' where visitors are invited to sit and contemplate in peace. The south wing houses a tourist information office (10a-6p Monday-Sunday).

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This Gate is located in Pariser Platz(Paris Square), which is the most important square in Berlin. It would be another long story why Berlin's most important square is named "Paris Square", yes, you r right, it has something to do with Napoleon... Well, I can't retell this story now...Acturally this is the starting point of the free tour I joined. And I guess it's also a good meeting point for you and your friends to start your hanging-around...