Siegessäule

The Victory Column (Siegessäule) is one of Berlin's best-known landmarks and one of the most important national monuments in Germany. It towers over the center of the Großer Stern, a circular traffic hub in the Großer Tiergarten. The monument was originally built on Königsplatz between 1864 and 1873 to commemorate the victories in the German wars of unification. It was designed by the court architect Heinrich Strack, who drew inspiration for the colonnade from the Große Neugierde in Glienicke Park. Stylistically, the structure belongs to the Neo-Renaissance. During the urban redesign under Albert Speer in 1938 and 1939, the column was moved to its present location and made taller and wider so that it would better suit the enlarged diameter of the square.

The monument consists of a base of polished red granite and four tapering column drums of Obernkirchen sandstone. Set into the fluting of the lower drums are sixty gilded cannon barrels captured in the three wars of unification. On top of the base stands a circular colonnade, its rear wall adorned with a large glass mosaic. Made by the Venetian firm Antonio Salviati from a design by Anton von Werner, this work depicts the founding of the German Empire as a result of the victory over France. Inside the base, a small museum documents the monument's eventful history. From there, a spiral staircase of 285 steps leads up to the viewing platform, which is more than 50 meters high.

The column is crowned by the gilded bronze sculpture of Victoria, the goddess of victory, whom Berliners affectionately call "Goldelse" (Golden Lizzy). The figure was created by Friedrich Drake and modeled on the features of the then Crown Princess Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland. In her right hand she holds a laurel wreath, and in her left a standard bearing the Iron Cross. An eagle sits on her helmet, which also makes the figure appear as a personification of Prussia, Borussia. Since the monument was moved, the statue has faced west toward Ernst-Reuter-Platz. From the platform, visitors can enjoy sweeping views over the Großer Tiergarten, the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, and the surrounding city.

The base is decorated with four large bronze reliefs depicting the most important battles of the wars of unification. They show the Battle of Düppel, the Battle of Königgrätz, the Battle of Sedan, and the entry of the allied troops into Berlin. The reliefs were created by various sculptors, including Alexander Calandrelli, Moritz Schulz, Karl Keil, and Albert Wolff. After World War II they were removed at the demand of the French occupying power and were for a time stored in the Musée de l'Armée in Paris. They were not returned until 1987, on the occasion of Berlin's 750th anniversary, and were reattached to the column after extensive restoration.

The history of the Victory Column is closely tied to Germany's political development. It survived World War II largely undamaged, but after the war it was briefly slated for demolition, which the opposition of the British and American occupying powers prevented. In the 1990s the monument was the site of large events such as the Love Parade and Christopher Street Day. In 1991 it was also the target of a bomb attack, which caused only minor damage. The Victory Column was most recently renovated extensively between 2010 and 2011. Victoria was regilded, the sandstone column was restored, and a new lighting concept was installed that gives the monument a special glow at night.

Today the Victory Column is not only a historic monument but also a lively place in the city. It is part of the "Street of Monuments" network and attracts many visitors every year who come to enjoy the view or to explore the historical significance of the site. The four neoclassical gatehouses flanking the pedestrian tunnels help integrate it into the urban landscape. With its imposing height of around 67 meters and its central location in the Tiergarten, the Victory Column remains an indispensable part of the Berlin skyline and a symbol of the city's complex history.