The Brandenburg Gate Essay -- History Construction Architecture Essays

The Brandenburg Gate The Brandenburg Gate is the trademark of Berlin and over the coarse of its life has been the symbol of peace, victory, power, division, hope, and a united Germany. The gate is a symbol for Germany much like the Eiffel tower is a symbol for France. The gate is located on the Pariser Platz. It is the only gate of a series of gates that once stood in Berlin. The gate is located on Berlin’s most famous street the "Unter den Linden," or "Under the Lime Trees." This street is straight as an arrow, a mile in length and leads directly to the royal residence. Due to these conditions the gate is visible from a great distance. Karl Gotthard Langhans was the designer of The original Brandenburg Gate which was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II to represent peace. It was designed after the Propylea, which is the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The Gate was built out of sandstone and construction lasted from1788 to 1791. The Brandenburg gate is about 70 feet in height and 200 feet in breadth, consisting of twelve Greek Doric columns, six on each side. There are five roadways through the gate, although originally ordinary citizens were only allowed to use the outer two and the central one was reserved for carriages of royalty only. Above the gate is the Quadriga, consisting of the goddess of peace, Eirene, a winged woman driving a four horse chariot in triumph. This Quadriga is a casting made of bronze. The most important sculptor in Berlin during this period was chosen to carry out the necessary sculpting work. His work Personifies virtues like friendship and statesmanship, along with symbols o f arts and sciences, because these are things that make a city bloom in times of peace (source 2). The desi... ...ate is probably the most well-known landmark in Berlin; it now stands as a symbol of the reunification of the two sides of this great city. An interesting structural note about the Brandenburg Gate is that it sways about one centimeter because of the passing of trucks, subway trains, and cars blaring loud music. Today's international visitors to Pariser Platz come to re-experience this first gateway to the city, and to enjoy the long-denied freedom to walk through this magnificent work of art. Work Cited 1.) http://www.berlin-landmarks.com/brandenburg_gate.html , October 19 2.) http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Brandenburg_Gate, October 19 3.) http://www.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/denkmal/denkmale_in_berlin/en/unter_den_l inden/brandenburger_tor.shtml, October 19 4.) http://www.berlin-hotels.com/eng/guide/sights/brandenburggate.html, October 19