Bradenburg+Gate


 * Berlin's Icon: The Brandenburg Gate**

The Brandenburg Gate is the gateway into Berlin, Germany built in 1788-1791. The Gate is the only one out of a series of 18 gateways to the city that is still standing. The Gate was surrounded by the Berlin wall for thirty years and when the wall fell it was a symbol of freedom and the unification of Berlin. Although the gate became a symbol of freedom and unity, before it was the gate that divided the British and the Soviet sectors of Berlin. Before the Berlin Wall was built vehicles and pedestrians could pass through the gate, now only pedestrians can pass. The Gate is located west of the heart of Berlin and is the great entryway into the Unter den Linden, which leads to the city palace of the Prussian Monarchy. The Gate was commissioned by King Fredrick William II of Prussia, as a sign of peace, who reigned from 1786-1797. Carl Gotthard Langhans built and designed The Brandenburg Gate after the Propylaea, the gateway into the Acropolis.
 * What is the Brandenburg Gate?**



The Brandenburg Gate was built ten years after the 30 year war that transformed Berlin into a “fortress”. The idea for the Brandenburg Gate was first presented in 1769 and later started to change from an idea to a plan in 1788. In 1793 the Quadriga was placed on top of the gate. This particular Quadriga was designed by Johann Gottfried Schadow in 1793. Schadow wanted this Quadriga to be known as the Quadriga of Victory. The Quadriga was actually taken by Napolean during his visit in Berlin in 1806. Napolean took the Quadriga to Paris but later was restored in 1814. Napoleon's right for power over Berlin ended up dividing Berlin into four different sectors. The Brandenburg gate stood in the Soviet sector of Berlin. The Gate along with the wall separated the British and Soviets. When the Berlin wall went down the Gate represented freedom and the eagerness to unite Berlin again.
 * History**

Carl Gotthard Langhans is the builder and architect of the Brandenburg Gate. He chose to base the gate off the design of the Propylaea because the Propylaea was the entrance to the great city of the Acropolis. Langhans thought Berlin was just as great of a city as Athens. He does all his work in Germany. His work includes buildings from the beginning of the German Classicism Movement. Carl Gotthard Langhans is most famous for the Brandenburg Gate.
 * Carl Gotthard Langhans & His inspiration for the Gate**



The Brandenburg Gate is based off the design of the Propylaea, the gateway of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Carl Gotthard Langhans decided to base his design of the gate off of the Propylaea because as a Prussian (German), he believed that his city, Berlin was as great as Athens. Athens was a magnificent city and Langhans compared Berlin to Athens, by putting the same glorious gate as the entrance to their city. Both the Propylaea and the Brandenburg Gate have six huge Doric columns. The Doric column appeared frequently in Greek architecture. The Brandenburg Gate also has many of the same markings and details as the Propylaea. For example above the columns there are vertical markings that are apparent on both structures. Carl Gotthard Langhans was very successful in his attempt to design the Brandenburg Gate after the Propylaea because both structures are very magnificent and breathe taking. I believe that was the architect’s point was to make the entrance into their great city, breathe taking.
 * Critique**



**Bibliography**

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