Little did those military loving Prussians know in 1873 that their grandiose commemorative victory column would eventually become not only the finishing point for the now defunkt Love Parade but also the title of Berlin's most popular gay magazine.

Stood erect in the centre of Berlin's central parkland area, the Tiergarten, you can take the stairs to the top of the column for a nice view of the nearby Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate or, if the weather is right, just watch all of the naked Germans running around the Tiergarten. Germans will get naked next to a puddle if the sun is out.

The victory column was originally situated in front of the Reichstag building, placed their by the Prussians to celebrate their military victories, but the Nazis moved it to the currect location back in 1939, and raised it on a plinth. At the time, Nazi propoganda minister Joseph Goebbels had a habit of sleeping with aspiring actresses, as he was the boss of the talkies industry - and Berlin's used to joke that the Godess of Victory perched high on top of the column was the only virtuous woman left in Berlin. Because she was out of reach of Goebbels' claws.

Why should I go
Because there's a lovely view to be had.

Where
It's that big huge column in the middle of the Tiergarten, if you can't see it from that area you might need glasses.

Map



View Larger Map