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Germany Berlin Berlin Monument

Victory Column

Victory Column
About

The Victory Column, or Siegessäule, rises from the center of Berlin’s Tiergarten as a powerful emblem of national pride and historical transformation. Originally constructed between 1864 and 1873 to commemorate Prussia’s victories in the Danish-Prussian War, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War, it was later moved to its current location by the Nazis in 1938 as part of their grandiose urban redesign plans. The column stands over 60 meters tall and is topped by a gilded statue of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, affectionately known to Berliners as “Goldelse.” Clad in bronze and gold, she holds a laurel wreath and a Prussian standard, her commanding presence visible from across the city. The monument’s base is encircled by reliefs and mosaics that depict key military scenes and nationalistic iconography. Visitors can climb a winding staircase of over 280 steps to reach an observation platform beneath the statue, offering panoramic views of Berlin and the surrounding parklands. The Victory Column is more than a celebration of military success—it has become a layered historical marker that reflects Berlin’s changing identity, surviving imperialism, fascism, division, and now standing within a democratic and unified Germany.

Berlin Germany
Location

The Victory Column, known as Siegessäule, is located at Großer Stern 1, 10557 Berlin, Germany, in the heart of the Tiergarten. Designed by Johann Heinrich Strack and completed in 1873, the monument commemorates Prussian victories in the Danish-Prussian War, Austro-Prussian War, and Franco-Prussian War. Standing 69 meters tall, it is crowned by the gilded statue of Victoria, the Roman goddess of victory, affectionately called Goldelse by Berliners. Visitors can climb 285 steps to the observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the city, including the Reichstag Building and the Brandenburg Gate. Nearby, the Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German President, is just a short walk away. The Tiergarten, Berlin’s largest park, provides a peaceful retreat with tree-lined paths and lakes. The Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity, stands 1.2 miles away, offering a striking historical backdrop. The Holocaust Memorial, dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, is also within reach.

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