The Brandenburg Gate (or Brandenburg Tor as it is known in Germany) is without a doubt the landmark that is most associated with the city of Berlin and almost all of the souvenirs you find hereabouts will have a reference to the gate on them somewhere. Standing just west of the centre of the city at the egde of Pariser Platz, it is a symbol that has been with the city through it's turbulent history and it is probably one of the most photographed things in Berlin.

It was built between 1788 and 1791 as the gated entrance to the tree lined avenue that lead to the palace of the Prussian monarchs. It has since become a sort of victory symbol, almost as if walking beneath it means you are walking to victory and so has been passed under by leaders, protesters and even (when we visited) sports stars - namely Formula One champion Sebastien Vettel. The gate suffered a lot during World War Two and was completely restored between 2000 and 2002.

If you are visiting Berlin, you should absolutely head to the Brandenburg Gate. In fact it is stopping off point on many walks around the city, so it shouldn't be too hard to go and see it. You should make two trips to it as well if you have time - one during the day and one at night. During the day it is a bit of a tourist trap and you'll be surrounded by fellow tourists, all eager to get a good picture. Oddly enough, there are also lots of people dressed up in various costumes, from soldiers to huge black bears, with whom you can have your picture taken in front of the gate, should you so wish. Even with all of these people, it is not hard to get a good picture - made even better by a lovely blue sky in the background if you can manage it. When we went, we sat on one of the benches on the avenue running up to the gate, to admire the fabulous architecture and to imagine what has happened there and the famous people who have visited. The gate is oddly emotive for a inanimate object and you get a real feel for the grandeur of it by just sitting there.

I say that you should make another visit at night, because it is an entirely different place then. The gate is lit up at night and looks very pretty. Some say it is a little tacky but I disagree because I think the lights make it look like the beacon that it is.

I really enjoyed visiting the Brandenburg Gate and really believe that no trip to Berlin should be without a visit.