BRANDENBURG GATE, BERLIN - This fine historic portal of Berlin forms the commencement of its most famous street, the "Unter den Linden," or "Under the Lime Trees." Its situation thus is admirable, for the avenue which it adorns is straight as an arrow and a mile in length. Accordingly, this Gate is visible at a great distance. It is decidedly imposing, being about 70 feet in height and 200 in breadth. It is perforated by five different passageways, the central one being reserved for carriages of royalty. Upon the summit is a bronze car of Victory drawn by four horses. It has had a remarkable history. In 1806 when Napoleon passed beneath this gate as conqueror of Prussia, he ordered that this triumphal chariot should be sent to Paris to adorn one of his own arches of triumph there. But after Napoleon's downfall the Prussians brought it back with shouts of rejoicing, restored the Goddess of Victory to her throne on the Brandenburg Gate, and named the square on which she looks exultingly "The Place of Paris." In 1871 beneath this arch a large portion of the German army, together with the Emperor, Crown Prince and Bismarck, re-entered Berlin amid the wildest enthusiasm after the war with France. Beyond this gateway is the famous park of Berlin, the Thiergarten, and every afternoon this portal is the nucleus of much of the display of Berlin's gay and fashionable life, as handsome carriages roll outward to the pleasure-grounds or inward toward the city. |
