Germany 2001

The Quadriga was originally regarded as a symbol of peace. In 1806, during the French occupation, it was dismantled on Napoleon's orders and taken to Paris. On its triumphal return in 1814, it was declared a symbol of victory, and the goddess received the staff bearing the Prussian eagle and the iron cross adorned with a laurel wreath.  

The Brandenburg Gate has borne witness to many of Berlin's important events. Both military parades & demonstrating workers have marched under its arches, and it saw celebrations marking the birth of the Second Reich as well as Hitler's ascent to power. It was here, too, that the Russian flag was raised in May 1945, and on 17 June 1953 that 25 workers demonstrating for better conditions were killed.

The gate, located in East Berlin, was restored between 1956 & 1958, when the damaged Quadriga was rebuilt in West Berlin. Over the next 40 years it stood watch over the divided city, until 1989, when the first section of the Berlin Wall Came down. (DK 67) 

It is the gateway into the Tiergarten (formerly the private hunting grounds of the King) and the beginning of Embassy Row to the East. Currently it is under renovation as countries move their Embassies back to Berlin. In a couple of years, the whole Praiser Platz along Unter den Linden will be completely restored.