Every 10, 20 and 50 cent German Euro coin is minted with a picture of this big city gate on its reverse side. Stranded in a lonely no-man's land between 1961 and 1989 thanks to the East German government and their big nasty Wall, no other structure in Berlin better symbolises the temporary division of the city - and it's eventual re-union.

Back on New Years Eve 1989 Aussie heart-throb and infamous red-pants wearer David 'Don't hassle the Hoff' Hasselhoff was dangling from a crane near this structure, belting out his classic song 'Looking for freedom' wearing a leather jacket decked out in Xmas lights. Brave move; someone should really have laid down a little fashion law to the Hoff before he climbed up that crane.

The American Embassy is being built adjacent to the Gate, on land that was given to the American government a long time ago. Like every US Embassy around the world, this one also requires a huge security fence around it to protect against attacks. The US government event went as far as suggesting that the historic Brandenburg Gate be moved to accomodate their plans. HA!

Take your camera and get snapping this Berlin landmark; it's not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Why should I go
Because it's historically important.

Where
Pariser Platz, nearest S-bahn station is Unter den Linden

Homepage
www.brandenburgertor.de/

Map

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