Siegessäule

The Victory Column at Grosser Stern is—after the Brandenburg Gate and the Television Tower—the most well-known landmark of Berlin. The 69 meter high cylinder has partially the Love Parade to thank for its popularity. For many years the end party was celebrated at the plaza and in the park and surrounding streets.

The Victory Column, as its name implies, was originally dedicated to triumphs of war. Built by Johann Heinrich Strack (1865–73), the monument celebrates the Prussian victories over Denmark, Austria and France in 1864, 1866 and 1870/71, and for this reason is decorated with gilded cannons. Even Victoria, the 8.32 meter high golden figure crowning the column reveals her military background. Berliners, never impressed by such monumentalist gestures, soon nicknamed her “Golden Else”. She also had a starring role in Wim Wenders’ 1987 film “Der Himmel über Berlin”, (released in the U.S. as “Wings of Desire”).

Originally erected in front the Reichstag, the Siegesäule was moved to its present location as part of Adolph Hitler and Albert Speer’s plans to transform Berlin into “Germania”, monumental capital of their megalomaniacal reich. Ironically, the move ended up sparing the landmark from destruction during the final, brutal battle for Berlin. There are 285 steps to climb in order to pay her a visit, but from above there is a fantastic view of the largest park in Berlin, the 203 hectare Tiergarten. 300 years ago the Elector was still hunting animals there.