Brandenburg Gate

The magnificent sandstone Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Mitte neighborhood was the city’s first Neoclassical edifice, modeled after the Acropolis in Athens and built for King Frederick William II in 1791. The Quadriga, a stunning four-horse chariot holding the goddess of victory perched atop this spectacular edifice, stands at an astonishing 26 meters in height. Its six massive columns on either side of the structure provide five spectacular passages: four for general traffic, and one for royal carriages in the center.

The two buildings on either side of the Gate, which were previously used by toll collectors and guards, are likewise adorned with massive Doric columns. It’s hard to realize that the gorgeous structure you see today was severely damaged during WWII, making it Berlin’s most recognizable structure. It was also formerly a component of the historic Berlin Wall, which served as a symbol of Berlin being divided into East and West for several decades.