Berlin Victory Column

The Berlin Victory Column (Siegessäule) is one of the German capital's great landmarks: a 67-meter column rising from the Grosser Stern roundabout in the middle of the Tiergarten park, topped by a gilded statue of the goddess Victoria that Berliners call "Goldelse." Climb the spiral staircase to the viewing platform just below her feet for one of the best panoramas in the city, stretching from the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag to the TV Tower.

History of the Victory Column

Designed by architect Heinrich Strack, the column celebrates Prussia's victories in the three wars that led to German unification: against Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866, and France in 1870–71. It was inaugurated on September 2, 1873, the anniversary of the Battle of Sedan.

The monument originally stood in front of what later became the Reichstag building. In 1938–39, as part of the Nazi plans to remodel Berlin into "Germania," it was moved to its current spot and made taller with a fourth drum section, reaching about 67 meters. After World War II, France removed the bronze reliefs from the base; they were returned in 1987 for Berlin's 750th anniversary. A full restoration took place from 2010 to 2011.

What to See

• Goldelse: Friedrich Drake's gilded bronze Victoria is 8.32 meters tall and weighs around 35 tons.
• Gilded cannon barrels: Sixty captured cannon barrels decorate the fluted column.
• Colonnade mosaic: A large glass mosaic designed by Anton von Werner shows martial scenes from the era of German unification.
• Viewing platform: 285 steps lead to the deck at just over 50 meters, with views over the Tiergarten, Bellevue Palace, and down the long avenue to the Brandenburg Gate.

Movie fans may recognize the statue from Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire" (1987), where angels perch on Victoria's shoulders. In 2008, Barack Obama spoke here as a presidential candidate to a crowd of more than 200,000.

Tickets and Opening Hours

According to Berlin's official city portal, the platform is open 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in winter, and closed on December 24. Admission is €4.50, reduced €3.50, and it is cash only (as of October 2026). Other sources list slightly different hours, so double-check before you go, especially around the seasonal change.

How to Get to the Victory Column

The column stands in the center of the Tiergarten, about 2 km west of the Brandenburg Gate. Take the popular bus 100, which stops at Grosser Stern, or ride the S-Bahn to Bellevue or the U9 to Hansaplatz and walk about ten minutes through the park. From Berlin Hauptbahnhof it is a short bus or S-Bahn trip; the Deutschlandticket covers local transit. Do not cross the busy roundabout on foot: use the pedestrian tunnels that start at the small guardhouses around the square.

Is It Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you are fit enough for the climb. The platform is not wheelchair accessible and has no elevator, and the narrow staircase can be tough for anyone afraid of heights. Allow 45 to 60 minutes. Combine it with a walk through the Tiergarten to the Brandenburg Gate for a classic Berlin afternoon.

Nearby Attractions

• Tiergarten, Berlin's huge central park, all around the column
• Bellevue Palace, the German president's official residence, a few minutes north
• Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag, about 30 minutes on foot along Strasse des 17. Juni
• Berlin Zoo, roughly 15 minutes southwest
• Potsdamer Platz, around 25 minutes through the park