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Monument · Berlim, Berlim
Brandenburger Tor
Neoclassical gate from the late 18th century, topped by the Quadriga. It stood isolated next to the Wall during the division and became a symbol of German reunification.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Brandenburger Tor
The Brandenburger Tor was erected between 1789 and 1793 by order of King Frederick William II, designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans. Inspired by gateways of ancient Greece, it is one of the first neoclassical buildings in Prussia and the only one remaining of the 18 gates of the old city. At the top sits the Quadriga, the chariot pulled by four horses designed by the sculptor Johann Gottfried Schadow.
In 1806, after defeating Prussia, Napoleon took the Quadriga to Paris; it returned to Berlin in 1814. The gate marks the end of the Unter den Linden boulevard and the start of the Tiergarten. On the east side lies Pariser Platz, surrounded by embassies and the Academy of Arts; on the west side, the Straße des 17. Juni avenue cuts through the park to the Siegessäule.
During the city's division, the gate stood in the border strip, on the eastern side, with no access for anyone. In December 1989, weeks after the fall of the Wall, the passage was reopened. Since then, the site has hosted New Year's celebrations, concerts and demonstrations, and is the postcard image of reunified Germany.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Passing through the gate and seeing Pariser Platz takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Combined with the Reichstag and the Memorial to the Holocaust, which are next door, it makes half a day.
Best time
Early in the morning there are fewer people for photos. At night the gate is illuminated. On dates like New Year's Eve and large events, the area is often closed to the general public or becomes very crowded.
How to get there
Brandenburger Tor station serves the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn line U5 and is next to Pariser Platz. On foot, the gate is about 10 minutes from the Reichstag and the Memorial to the Holocaust.
Tip
Notice the line of cobblestones on the ground west of the gate: it marks where the Wall ran. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places, like Pariser Platz on event days.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Brandenburger Tor
Is there a fee to enter the Brandenburger Tor?
No. It is a monument in an open space, and walking under the columns is free.
What is the Quadriga?
It is the sculpture of the goddess of victory in a chariot pulled by four horses, atop the gate. It was taken to Paris by Napoleon in 1806 and returned to Berlin in 1814.
What was the gate's relationship to the Berlin Wall?
The gate lay within the border strip during the division and could not be crossed. It was reopened in December 1989 and became a symbol of reunification.
What can you see near the gate?
The Reichstag is a few minutes to the north, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe just to the south, and the Tiergarten to the west.