Brandenburg Gate as a historical portal
Our group passed through the Brandenburg Gate many times in Berlin, but with every passing, it felt just as cool as the first time passing through it. If you're into architecture, then you'll appreciate this great example of neoclassicism built in the 18th century. It was built by Frederick William II, or "the Great." (Fun fact: he was actually the first enlightened monarch of Germany, and was even buddies with Voltaire.)
Why is the Gate so important? Napoleon marched through it on his French Revolution rampage, the Nazis used it as a symbol of power, and it stood to represent the separation of East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Presidents JFK and Ronald Reagan visited it, and any German will tell you how much they love JFK because of his famous speech there where he said, "ich bin ein Berliner" or "I am a Berliner."
