Brandenburg Gate

Ian Davis

CWL 161

11/7/2016

Brandenburg Gate

Throughout its existence the Brandenburg gate has served as an entrance to the famous avenue Unter den Linden that led to the Prussian royal palace. It was commissioned by the Prussian prince Frederick William II during the late 19th century, and was constructed between 1788-1791. It is a neoclassical structure and stands 66 feet high, 213 feet wide, and has 5 arches. It is one of the most culturally rooted structures in Germany, and it has had an intense impact on German society and politics like no other architectural structure. It highlights Germany’s industrious rise to power, while also serving as a reminder for the hardships that the German people endured through the later half of the 20th century.

In October of the year 1806, Napoleon marched triumphantly under the arches of the Brandenburg Gate. He had successfully captured and occupied the city of Berlin, adding the Prussian capital to his growing empire. As a momento for his grandioso victory, Napoleon decided to take the Quadriga, a statue that had been fixed atop the Brandenburg gate. The statute made it way across Europe, until it was ultimately forgotten about in storage, until 1814 when Prussia captured Paris. When the Quadriga was mounted once again atop the gate, this time with a iron cross attached to it, symbolizing the Prussian victory over Napoleon. To this day the Quadriga is still a focal point of the decorum of the Brandenburg gate, highlighting the beautiful architectural structure, while also signifying German pride and nationalism.

The focus of the Brandenburg gate as a symbol for German pride and victory continued into the 20th century. Adolf Hitler would famously march underneath the Brandenburg gate on the night he became chancellor. This moment was focal point in Germany's national identity. A moment where a psychopath was essentially crowned king over a highly militaristic state. This national monument would continue to stand