The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin ... Apparently, it makes no sense to ask about whether you have heard about this attraction of the German capital. After all, even those who still have not been able to visit this amazing and unique city probably saw its symbols on television, in the press, on brochures or souvenirs brought from a trip abroad.
The monuments of Berlin, as well as the whole of Germany, are very ambiguous. Someone might like the “Joker” fountain or “Cheerful shoemaker” located in Koblenz, someone will be surprised at the memorial dedicated to the burned book, and there will be those who think about the “Destroyed hearth” or “Holocaust”.
"Berlin. Sightseeing "... A photo under this name literally filled the expanses of the World Wide Web. But what do we know about them, what representation can colorful pictures give? I suggest first to talk about the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Having gone deeper into history, we learn: this monument is considered a reminder that once the capital of Germany was surrounded on all sides by a powerful fortress wall, and only fourteen gates could get into the city. Unfortunately, the shafts were not preserved. The history and magnificent entrances did not spare either, and now only the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin reminds us of the mastery of architects of that time. Of course, then the capital was not as huge as it is today. And this structure encircled it from all sides, protecting it from numerous enemies. Now it is the very center of a noisy metropolis.
Who built the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin ?
Historians claim that they are a masterpiece of the famous architect of that era, Gottgard Langgans. He performed all his work mainly in the classical style, but for the construction of the main arch of the country he had to turn to the characteristic features of the construction of ancient Greece. However, one cannot fail to notice that the monument never had any special utilitarian significance. Almost immediately, it became clear that the city, in the end, would necessarily outgrow the size of the surrounding wall. It was decided to use it as a kind of triumphal arch. By the way, the quadriga crowning the arch is the work of Johann Gottfried Schadov, who is famous not only in Germany, but also far beyond the borders of the sculptor and theorist.
What does the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin look like and what is it ?
Today it is a Greek portico of the classical type with the so-called Doric columns. The whole structure is decorated with four horses, driven by a goddess. It is hard to imagine that then, at the very end of the 18th century, it was possible to build a 26-meter structure with a wall width of 11 meters. By the way, few people know that initially the horses were entrusted with the Goddess of Peace, on whose head they planted a wreath of olive trees, and the gate got the same name. However, capturing Berlin, Napoleon decides to take the quadriga with him to Paris, and only after the fall of the emperor does the sculpture be erected in its former place.
I note that after her return, her appearance changed a little: the goddess was “assigned” to clutch a huge iron cross topped with an eagle. The name of the deity also became different. Since then, she is proudly called Victoria, which means Victory.