Berlin Victory Column

The Victory Column is one of Berlin's most important attractions and one of Germany's most important national monuments. Originally built by Heinrich Strack from 1864 to 1873 on Königsplatz to commemorate three decisive victories in the Prussian unification wars against Denmark, Austria, and France respectively, it was moved to its current location (Großer Stern) between 1938 and 1939.

The column consists of a base covered with polished red granite and four drum segments made of sandstone. The base is decorated with four bronze reliefs depicting details of the three unification wars and the victorious entry of the army into Berlin in 1871. To emphasize the three victories, the designer used captured cannons to make three rings on the column, deliberately gilded them, and the free fluting of the top drum was also given gilded laurel garlands, shining from afar. At the top is a gilded bronze sculpture of Victoria, the goddess of victory in Roman mythology. She holds a laurel wreath in her right hand, a spiked spear with an Iron Cross in her left hand, and an eagle sits on her helmet, in a victorious posture. Interestingly, the goddess waves her wreath towards Paris, implying a slight contempt for France. Of course, during the era when Prussia built this column, it indeed had the qualification to look down on its old rival. The total height of the Victory Column including the statue is 67 meters. Inside the column, a spiral staircase of 285 steps leads to an observation deck at 50.66 meters. From there, you can overlook Berlin, see the Brandenburg Gate in the distance, and enjoy views of the Großer Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz, and the surrounding urban area.