Brandenburg Gate Berlin: The City’s Most Popular Landmark

Out of all the important landmarks in Germany, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin stands tall as a symbol of German division during the Cold War and is now a symbol of unity and peace, which makes it among the best attractions in Germany during your Europe Tour.

Before we start with what to expect when you are at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, let’s dive a little deeper into its history and get an insight into its past and learn all about Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Brandenburg Gate History

The Brandenburg Gate Berlin is a historical place in Berlin that stands as a symbol of reunification for Germany. In terms of architecture, the landmark represents one of the most attractive examples of a Neo-Classical building in Germany.

The Brandenburg Gate history dates back to 1788 to 1791, when it was constructed and was Berlin’s first Greek revival building. The Cathedral was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans, who was an architect of the Prussian Court. The architecture of the Brandenburg Gate Berlin has been inspired by the Gateway entrance to the Acropolis in Athens, making it a historical place in Berlin.

The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is 65.5 meters long, 26 meters high and 11 meters deep, supported by two rows of six Doric Columns, making it one of the interesting places to visit in Berlin.

In the year 1793, the gate was crowned by the Quadriga statue, which was designed by the architect Johann Gottfried Schadow. When the Berlin Wall went up in the year 1961, the gate stood as an exclusion in the arc of the Wall and was inaccessible to locals and visitors as well, answering all your questions on why was the Brandenburg Gate built.

Quadriga On Top Of Brandenburg Gate Berlin

The Quadriga located on top of the Brandenburg Gate Berlin, was designed by Johann Gottfried Schadow in the year 1793. The sculpture would depict a two-wheeled chariot pulled by four horses that run side by side, symbolizing peace entering the city. The reins of the horses are held by the Goddess Victoria.

As time passed, the statue was taken down from the Brandenburg Gate three times. In the year 1806, after the defeat of Prussia, Napoleon took the Quadriga to Paris but the victory allowance allowed it to be brought back and to be placed in the same place eight years later.

However, during the Second World War, the Brandenburg Gate and Quadtiga were severely damaged due to the excessive bombing, as a result of which the structure had to be disposed of in the year 1956 in the course of reconstruction of the gate and replaced by a copy, making it among best tourist site in Berlin.

If you enjoy discovering the stories behind Europe's landmarks, explore more things to do in Europe to find experiences worth adding to your itinerary.

Restoration Of The Brandenburg Gate

Since the Brandenburg Gate is located in the city centre, the damage to the substance of the sandstone was inevitable. Besides that, the annual event of New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Brandenburg’s Gate also caused lasting damage to the entire structure.

After having a restoration phase of almost two years, The Brandenburg Gate was restored in the year 2002, and from that onwards it has been a major tourist place in Berlin, attracting people from all over the world.

Suggested Read: Berlin Cathedral: A Glimpse Into History

Brandenburg Gate Opening Hours

Best Time To Visit Brandenburg Gate: The best time to visit Brandenburg Gate is early morning to avoid crowds.

You must be wondering about Brandenburg Gate Opening Hours, well then it remains open from Monday to Sunday. If you want to see the best of it, you should visit the landmark at night and you will understand why it is the best tourist place in Berlin.

• Timings: 10:00 to 18:00

Planning the rest of your itinerary around the season? Our best time to visit Europe guide can help you decide when to plan your wider European trip.

Brandenburg Gate Tour Tickets

• Free Entry

Entry to the Brandenburg Gate is free, making it an easy addition to your sightseeing plans without stretching your budget. You can also explore Europe budget tour packages when planning the rest of your trip.

If you wish to avoid crowded places, you should visit in the early morning or late at night to have the best time with your friends and family.

How To Reach Brandenburg Gate

If you are wondering where is Brandenburg Gate, then let us help you with it.

• Location: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany

Public Transport

• U-Bahn(Subway): The nearest subway station to the Brandenburg Gate is the U-Bahn, which is just a short walk away from the landmark.
• S-Bahn(Above Ground Trains): The S1, S2, S25, and S26 lines stop at the Brandenburger Tor station, offering easy access to the gate.

Buses

• The TXL bus line runs from Berlin Tegel Airport with a stop near the Brandenburg Gate, which is the Brandenburger Tor.
• 100, 147, and 200 are the other bus lines that stop at the Brandeburger Tor.

Trams

Trams may be less common among tourists, but if you are up for something new, then you can take the M1,12 lines, which are the nearest stops to the Gate.

By Car

If you are planning to drive, you should know that the area is a low-emission zone, so ensure that your vehicle will be eligible for parking. You can park your car near the Potsdamer Platz Car Park.

If Berlin is one stop on a multi-country itinerary, Europe group tour packages offers organised trip options to consider when planning your route.

Useful Tips Before Visiting Brandenburg Gate

• You can use the Berlin Welcome Card, which offers unlimited public transport network and several discounts as well.
• The Brandenburg Gate is located in the city centre, which makes it close to other important landmarks, including the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Reichstag Building and Tiergarten Park.

If Berlin is part of a longer holiday, explore Europe tourism for inspiration on other destinations to include in your trip.