Observe the Brandenburg Gate, an iconic monument

Built between 1788 and 1791, the Brandenburg Gate marks Berlin's first introduction to Greek Revival architecture. In 1793, the statue of the Quadriga, designed by Johann Gottfried Schadow, was placed at the top of the gate. This statue has a unique history. In 1806, during the occupation of Berlin by Napoleon's forces, the French emperor transported the Quadriga to Paris as a prize of war and a symbolic representation of his triumph. After Napoleon's forced abdication in 1814, the Quadriga returned to Berlin, where it once again adorned the Brandenburg Gate, looking east towards the centre of the city. 1946 marked the beginning of a new phase for the Brandenburg Gate, as Germany and Berlin were divided after the Second World War. Located in the former Soviet sector, the gate was contained by the emergence of the Berlin Wall in 1961, placed in a no-go zone along the arch of the wall, making it inaccessible to residents and visitors alike. However, when the Berlin Wall collapsed, an exceptional gathering of 100,000 people was held on the doorstep of the Brandenburg Gate on 22 December 1989, marking its official reopening. Subsequently, hordes of partygoers flooded into the region to commemorate their first shared New Year's Eve in the once divided city. Today, more than any other of the city's landmarks, the Brandenburg Gate is the emblem of a reunited Berlin.

Its architecture

Designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans, the architect who served the Prussian court, it was inspired by the great gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. At 26 metres high, 65.5 metres long and 11 metres deep, the gateway was supported by two series of six Doric columns. On either side of the Brandenburg Gate, the Max Liebermann Haus and the Haus Sommer stand in symmetrical splendour. Conceived as a harmonious duo, their design mirrors the architectural style of Friedrich August Stüler, the revered Prussian master builder and court architect. This historic site also embraces two other notable structures, which house the embassies of France and the United States, further enhancing its significance.

Close to the Brandenburg Gate: the Parisian square

The Brandenburg Gate is located on Pariser Platz, considered to be one of the city's most captivating squares. By the end of the Second World War, the structures surrounding this historic square were in ruins. It was only in the 1990s, after German reunification, that reconstruction began on this prestigious site. Today, the buildings that adorn this area include refined townhouses, diplomatic headquarters and the grandeur of the five-star Hotel Adlon.

Price:

Admission is free. 

Opening hours:

The access is always possible for visitors. 

How to get to the Brandenburg Gate?

By car: 

• If you prefer driving, you can rent a car or use a taxi service to get to the Brandenburg Gate. But, keep in mind that traffic and parking might be challenging. 

By bus: 

• Berlin has an extensive public transportation network, including buses! You can take a bus to go from your accommodation to the Brandenburg Gate. The number 100 bus is stopping at the Reichstag station only 200 meters away from the monument.

By subway: 

• The subway (U-Bahn) in Berlin can take you to the Brandenburg Gate. Stop at the Brandenburger Tor subway station.