Page 504 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

502  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

The imposing Brandenburg Gate at Pariser Platz, at the western end of Unter den Linden
1 Brandenburg its arches, and it was the site of a fire destroyed the main hall.
Gate celebrations marking the birth Rebuilding work undertaken
of the Deutsches Reich in 1871. between 1957 and 1972
Pariser Platz.  Brandenburger Tor. It was here, too, that the Soviet removed the dome and most
@ 100, TXL. flag was raised in 1945. of the ornamentation on
Restored between 1956 the façades. On December 2,
The Brandenburg Gate is the and 1958, for the next 30 years 1990, the Reichstag was the
quintessential symbol of Berlin. the gate stood watch over the first meeting place of a newly-
This magnificent Neoclassical divided city, until the fall of elected Bundestag following
structure was designed by the Berlin Wall in 1989. It was German reunification.
Carl Gotthard Langhans and renovated once again in 2002. The latest rebuilding project,
modeled on the Propylaia of the completed in 1999 to a design
Acropolis in Athens (see p4). It 2 Reichstag by Sir Norman Foster,
was erected between 1788 and transformed the Reichstag into
1791, although the sculptural Platz der Republik.   Branden- a modern meeting hall crowned
decorations were not completed burger Tor. @ 100. Tel 030-2273 2152. by an elliptical glass dome.
until 1795. Pavilions frame its Dome & Assembly Hall: Open daily.
simple Doric colonnade, and Closed Dec 24 & Dec 31. 8 3 Unter den Linden
bas-reliefs on the entablature
above the columns depict Built to house the German  Brandenburger Tor. @ 100, TXL.
scenes from Greek myth. The Parliament, the Reichstag
structure is crowned by the was intended as a symbol of One of the most famous
famous sculpture of a quadriga national unity and to showcase streets in Berlin, Unter den
– a chariot drawn by four the aspirations of the new Linden was once the route
horses – designed by Johann German Empire, declared in to the royal hunting grounds
Gottfried Schadow. 1871. Constructed between that were transformed into
The Brandenburg Gate has 1884 and 1894, the Neo- the Tiergarten. In the 17th
witnessed many important Renaissance building by Paul century, it was planted with
historical events. Military Wallot captured the prevailing lime trees, to which it owes
parades and demonstrating spirit of German optimism. On its name.
workers have marched under the night of February 27, 1933, In the 18th century, Unter
den Linden became the main
street of the westward-growing
city. It gradually filled with
prestigious buildings, such as
the Baroque Zeughaus, home
of the Deutsches Historisches
Museum, and the Humboldt
Universität (1753). Next door,
the Neue Wache (1816–18)
commemorates the victims
of war and dictatorship.
Since reunification, many
buildings have been restored
and Unter den Linden has
acquired several cafés and
restaurants, as well as smart
new shops. The street is also
The Reichstag, crowned by a dome designed by Sir Norman Foster the venue for outdoor events.
For hotels and restaurants see pp546–8 and pp549–51

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