Brandenburg Gate (left)
The Brandenburg Gate was built between 1789 and 1793 according to designs by Carl Gotthard Langhans. The Neoclassical triumphal arch is located in the Berlin district of Mitte, on Pariser Platz, and is the only remaining of the original 18 Berlin city gates. Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, the gate is today considered one of Germany's most significant landmarks. It is crowned by the Quadriga with the goddess of victory, Victoria, who symbolically brings peace to the city. During the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate stood directly on the border between East and West Berlin and became a symbol of German division and reunification.
Victory Column (right)
The Berlin Victory Column was erected between 1864 and 1873 based on a design by Heinrich Strack as a national monument. It commemorates the unification wars of the 19th century and is now located on the Großer Stern in the middle of Tiergarten. Originally, the 67-meter-high column stood on Königsplatz and was moved to its current location during the "Third Reich." The gilded Victoria at the top, popularly known as "Goldelse" (Golden Lizzy), was created by Friedrich Drake and symbolizes victory in Roman mythology.