The Cold war’s symbol
Published by Asya in Cultural, Europe, Germany, History, Monuments, Travel Stories
The Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and the symbol of Berlin, Germany. It is located between the Pariser Platz and the Platz des 18 Marz and is the only remaining gate of a series through which one formerly entered Berlin. One block to its north lies the Reichstag. The sandstone construction, built from 1788–91 to plans by C.G. Langhans, has 12 Doric columns and is based on the Propylaea of the Acropolis in Athens. On both sides, six Doric columns support the 11 meter-deep transverse beam, dividing the gate into five passageways. In 1794 the building was crowned with the quadriga and goddess of victory created by Schadow, which face eastwards towards the city center. The Brandenburg Gate was surrounded by further buildings which were destroyed in the war.
It is the only gate which survived, because it constitutes the monumental termination of Unter den Linden, the renowned boulevard of linden trees which led directly to the residence of the Prussian kings until the destruction of the city castle. The entire construction and ornamentation of the gate reflect the extraordinary importance it was granted by its builders. The architect selected as the model for his design the Propylaea in Athens, the monumental.
While the main design of the Brandenburg Gate has remained the same since it was completed, the gate has played varying roles in Germany’s history. First, Napoleon took the Quadriga to Paris in 1806 after conquering Berlin. When it returned to Berlin in 1814, the statue exchanged her olive wreath for the Iron Cross and became the goddess of victory. Berlin’s most famous landmark the Brandenburg Gate has been opened for the first time in almost three decades. Thousands of people spilled on to the city’s streets cheering in the pouring rain to watch the historic ceremony which effectively ends the division of East and West Germany.
