The Brandenburg Gate, the former gateway to Berlin, has become one of the main icons of the German capital and is a symbol of the triumph of peace over arms.
 |
| Brandenburg Gate |
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) is one of the old gateways to Berlin as well as one of the most important symbols of the city. In Spanish the most correct name is Puerta de Brandeburgo, although it is also known as Puerta de Brandemburgo or Brandenburg.
Opened in 1791 next to the Pariser Platz, the Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of the triumph of peace over arms.
It is a huge construction of 26 meters high that, with its neoclassical style, is reminiscent of the constructions of the Acropolis of Athens.
In 1795, the monument was crowned with a copper chariot depicting the Goddess of Victory in a chariot drawn by four horses heading towards the city. The statue that can be seen today is a copy made in West Berlin in 1969, as the original was destroyed during World War II.
Although the gate has five entrances, from its construction until the year 1918, the central passage of the gate could only be used by members of the royal family and a few lucky ones.
 |
| Brandenburg Gate |
Pride and Drama
After its construction, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin enjoyed the splendor that corresponded to it, seeing members of royalty, Napoleon's troops and witnessing some Nazi parades pass under its arches.
The tranquility of the Brandenburg Gate ended after the arrival of the Second World War, which caused serious damage to the structure and practically destroyed the chariot.
In 1956, both sides of the divided city joined forces to rebuild the gate. It was in 1961, after the construction of the Berlin Wall, when the gate was lost in no man's land, trapped between east and west, with virtually no one having access to it.
After the reunification of the city, the Brandenburg Gate, after so many disappointments, finally regained the place it deserves.
Bright in the sun or illuminated at night
Both during the day and at night, the Brandenburg Gate is one of the most important and pleasant sights in Berlin. Tourists continually crowd in front of his majestic face to take the most representative photograph of his trip to Berlin.
The Brandenburg Gate is within walking distance of some of the city's other landmarks, such as the Parliament building, Pariser Platz and Potsdamer Platz.