Berlin's Top Ten Sights - The Brandenburg Gate




 The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)
The Brandenburg Gate is the best known and the most popular building in Berlin. It is also a symbol of the division and reunification of Berlin. From 1961-1990 it lay in no man's land - in East Berlin close to the wall.
The Brandenburg Gate was built 1788-1791 by Carl Gotthard Langhans, as one of the 14 city gates which were part of the customs and excise wall. In 1794 the statue of the goddess of victory (the Quadriga) was placed on top. In 1806 Napoleon entered Berlin, kidnapped the Quadriga and brought it to Paris. Only in 1814 it returned to Berlin.
Tip: If you need to rest and want to get away from all the sightseeing, visit the Raum der Stille (Room of Silence). 


The Brandenburg Gate
If you pass through the Brandenburg Gate from west to east you will come to Pariser Platz. The place was founded in 1734 and was initially named after its shape Quarre (rectangle). In 1814 the place was given its present name. Here many of the nobles had their palaces. The Adlon Hotel was opened in 1907 on the site of one of these palaces. During World War II the Adlon was destroyed, except for a wing. Since its reopening in 1997 the luxury hotel has been restored to its former glory.
Many famous people stayed at the Adlon Hotel
Tips: It is very expensive to dine at the Adlon. Unter den Linden has many catering facilities that are affordable for everybody.
Nearby lies the Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe). 2711 steles remember the Jews who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi rule. There is also an underground information centre.
Holocaust Memorial

Pariser Platz
10117 Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate is accessible around the clock.

How to get there:
Train: S1, S2, S25 (Brandenburger Tor)
Underground: U55 (Brandenburger Tor)
Bus: M85, 100, 200, TXL

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