Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Brandenburger Tor & Pariser Platz
The best known of Berlin's symbols, the Brandenburg Gate stands proudly in
the middle of Pariser Platz, asserting itself against the hyper-modern embassy
buildings that now surround it. Crowned by its triumphant Quadriga sculpture,
the famous Gate has long been a focal point in Berlin's history: rulers and
statesmen, military parades and demonstrations - all have felt compelled
to march through the Brandenburger Tor.
Top 10 Sights
1 Brandenburger Tor
2 Quadriga
3 Hotel Adlon Berlin
4 DG Bank
5 Akademie der Künste
6 French Embassy
7 Palais am Pariser Platz
8 Eugen-Gutmann-Haus
9 Haus Liebermann
0 American Embassy
The Brandenburg Gate
seen from the east
One of the best
spots for a coffee
break in Pariser Platz
is Café Meyerbeer, in
the Palais am Pariser
Platz. Don't miss its
great cake display.
Brandenburger
To r
Since its restoration in
2002, Berlin's symbol is
now lit up more brightly
than ever before. Built
by Carl G Langhans in
1789-91 and modelled
on the temple porticos of
ancient Athens, the Gate
has, since the 19th cen-
tury, been the backdrop
for many events in the
city's turbulent history.
Quadriga
The sculpture, 6 m
(20 ft) high above the Gate,
was created in 1794 by
Johann Gottfried Schadow
as a symbol of peace. As a
model for the laurel-
crowned goddess of peace
in the chariot, Schadow
used his niece, who sub-
sequently became famous
throughout Berlin.
A small exhibition,
housed in the north-
ern side wing of the
Brandenburger Tor,
tells the history of
the Gate.
•
Pariser Platz
• Map F3, K3
• Tourist information,
Brandenburger Tor
• Map F3, K3
•
10am-6pm daily
• (030) 25 00 25
Hotel Adlon Berlin
Completed in 1997 and
now favoured by visiting
dignitaries, Berlin's most
elegant hotel is a recon-
struction of the original
Hotel Adlon. This legendary
hotel, destroyed in World
War II, was host to the rich
and famous, including Greta
Garbo, Thomas Mann and
Charlie Chaplin
(see p72).
DG Bank
This modern build-
ing, designed by the
American architect Frank
Owen Gehry, combines
the clean lines of Pruss-
ian architecture with
some daring elements.
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www.berlin.de/tourismus/sehenswuerdigkeiten.en/00022.html
