"Silent witness of historical events" Top 5 Page for this destination Brandenburger Tor Tip by matcrazy1

The Branderburg Gate was the silent witness of many both great and unfamous events in the past. At its beginning only the German Emperor and his guests were allowed to use the central passageway. All others had to use the side passages.

HISTORY

18th century
1788–91 - the gate was built to plans by C.G. Langhans;
1794 - the building was crowned with the quadriga and goddess of victory created by Schadow.

19th century
1806 - Napoleon was marching through the gate and he stole the quadriga from its top (then it was put back on the top of the gate);
1848, 1918 - revolutionists used to meet under the gate.

20th century
in 30' and 40' of 20th century torch-light processions of fasists used to start there;
1945 - the gate was damaged at the end of WWII and then was rebuilt by communist authorities of East Germany but without... Prussian Iron Cross on the top;
13 August 1961 - 9 November 1989 - the gate was closed to public as located in East Berlin by the wall divided Berlin into two parts;
1963 - U.S. President John F. Kennedy visited the Brandenburg Gate. The Soviets hang large banners across it so he cannot see the other side;
22 December 1989 - reopening of the Gate, the Prussian Iron Cross was put back on the top;
1990 - Checkpoint Charlie was dismantled. Parts of it are now in the Allied Museum. The East German watchtower remained.
since 2000 - renovation of the Gate (already completed) and the area around (almost completed in 2004).

Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin-Mitte
Directions: S-Bahn: Unter den Linden ((S1, S2, S25);
Bus: 100, 200, 248, 257, 348.