Standing proudly in the heart of Berlin’s Großer Tiergarten is the Siegesäule (Victory Column). Created to commemorate a flurry of victories for the newly formed German nation in the 19th century, the 67m tower was officially inaugurated on 2 September 1873 where it originally stood in the Platz der Republik (Place of the Republic). City planners of the Third Reich moved it in 1939 to its current location, where the shimmering, golden statue of the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria, presides over the wooded park and surrounding area of West Berlin.
For a €3 fee (€2.50 concessions), visitors can climb the 270 steps to the very top of the column; a grueling ascent. However, the view of Berlin’s impressive skyline from the small balcony is worth the toil. From here the city and its sights look like miniature models, giving you a unique perspective on this bustling area. The entrance fee also includes admission to the permanent exhibition on National Monuments in the ground floor area, which also provides some comprehensive information on the history of the column.
