The Brandenburg gate is one of the worth seeing attractions whenever one is in Berlin. This gate is very place of historical importance and is serving as a pride of the Germany and is essential to visit for any one having interest in the history and culture of Berlin. This is a coverage of the Brandenburg Gate story and some of the features of this great corridor joining Berlin, Germany as well as the specification of its construction and the role it played in the German history makers.

History of the Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate also known as Brandenburger Tor in German is one or the famous architectural erection that was built in the eighteenth Century in the reign of King Frederick William II of Prussia. Having got its name from the great boulevard Unter den Linden, the gate was designed by Carl Gotthard Langhans. In the past, people used the dove as an emblem of peace mostly but after occurrences of historical nature it obtained a political meaning.

Architectural Features

The Brandenburg Gate possesses very flamboyant architecture with an influence from the neoclassical architecture of the ancient Greek structure known as Propylaea gateway to Athens. The gate is approximately more than 26 meters high with twelve Doric columns creating five aisles. It was used purposely to accommodate royal carriages prior to the social transformations of that time. The gate’s pediment is the Quadriga with its four horses pulled by the goddess Victoria.

Significance in German History

The Brandenburg Gate has been an uphill witness of many historical events throughout its age, which influenced Germany’s history greatly.

Symbol of Division and Reunification

In the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate was one of the major cultural signs of the split between East and West Berlin and East and West Germany. For two decades it was symbolised the division of East & West, in between it stood in the middle of Berlin eliminating any possibility of families and friends. Nevertheless, the Brandenburg Gate changed its status to one of the major symbols of German reunions at the moment when the Wall was pulled down in 1989.

Historical Speeches and Celebrations

Like most other structures that have existed for a long time, the Brandenburg Gate has provided the backgrounds for many speeches and celebrations. One such speech was the speech made by the then president of USA, Ronald Reagan in his historic tour of Berlin in 1987 where he challenged the then Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev to knock down the infamous Berlin wall. It has also been the venue for the well-known New Year celebrations in Berlin in the recent past years.

Visiting the Brandenburg Gate

Whenever you are dreaming to visit Berlin, Brandenburg Gate is a place you must visit. It is situated in the middle of the city and thus it can easily be accessed by any means of transport. Next to the gate, there is the beautiful Pariser Platz and other interesting places, for instance, the Reichstag building, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Visitors to the gate must spare sometime to read the history towards its construction and also admire the workmanship put in the gate. It is possible to see lots of tourists here so one will need to schedule his/her time in this place well. It is also possible to get several guided tours that offer visitors good close look at the gate and its history.

Tips for Photographing the Brandenburg Gate

Last but not the least, for the photographer, the Brandenburg Gate is one of the best places for you to take pictures with. Here are some suggestions that would enable you to get the best outputs:

• Soft lighting conditions are realized during the early morning and late afternoon hence make your visit during any of the two times.
• Try to photograph from various positions to get various points of view of the object or scene in focus.
• That is why one might consider visiting the gate during different seasons of the year to capture compelling atmosphere behind the gate.

Conclusion

The gate represents more than just a gate, it is the symbol for Germany, the country, and their endurance. Due to its size and history, the zoo is one of the many attractions that people should not afford to miss while in Berlin. In this way, knowing the architecture and the history of the gate as well as its involvement in the German reunion, one can better appraise this symbolic point of interest.