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Am Pariser Platz
10117 Berlin
Germany
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Neighborhood :
Mitte
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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Yahoo Travel Reviews
( 8 Reviews see all
)
Top 
BERLIN TOUR
THIS IS A VERY MASCULINE CITY AND NOT PRETTY IN THE PARISSIAN OR ROMAN STYLE. BUT I LOVED IT FOR THE ASSAULT ON THE SENSES. IF YOU DO YOUR HOME...
Beautiful Sight!
The Brandenburg Tor is a symbol of Berlin. It is absolutley beautiful and fascinating. It was restored a couple of years ago and si much more...
i will never go again
this place was awful everyone is very rude and it was boring it was very very expensive and wasnt worth all that money i would never go ever again
it was awsum
it was awsum i had a great time the sight where beautifull and the museam was fabulousyou rating really helped us plan our trip. i cant wait to...
It is great if you're interested
The history behind the gate and what it symbolizes in German history is fasinating. People who are really interested in German history would r...
Boring
It was boring, but nice to see for a minute.
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