Brandenburg Gate in Potsdam is a stone archway at the western entrance to the city centre, and it is about 20 years older than the gate in Berlin. It stands at the start of a pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes and bakeries, so a visit fits easily into a walk through town. Look at both faces of the gate, since the two sides were designed in different styles. Come back after dark, when the lights show the stonework well. Potsdam is an easy day trip from Berlin.
Two gates, one name
Potsdam has its own Brandenburg Gate, and it is older than the better-known gate in Berlin by about 20 years. Most visitors arrive expecting the Berlin version, so the Potsdam gate often comes as a surprise.
The gate is a fitting first stop on a walk into the old town, since it marks the way into the city from the west.
From city wall to open archway
The gate was built between 1770 and 1771 on the site of a medieval gate. Frederick the Great commissioned it to celebrate his victory in the Seven Years' War.
For a long time the gate was part of the city wall. The wall was demolished in 1900, and since then the gate has stood alone as a freestanding structure.
The area around the gate has since been rebuilt in the style of the earlier period, after wartime destruction. One visitor found the rebuilt streets a little too new, almost like a film set, while still finding the gate itself well worth seeing.
Two architects, two faces
The gate resembles a Roman triumphal arch. Its design is Baroque, and it was shaped by two architects with two different approaches.
Karl von Gontard designed the side facing the city, on behalf of Frederick II. His pupil Georg Christian Unger designed the side facing the open fields.
Stand on both sides before you leave. The contrast between the two faces is the main reason to walk around the gate rather than view it from one angle.
The square and the street
The gate sits at the centre of a square surrounded by restaurants and shops. From here, a pedestrian street leads into the town, with cafes and bakeries along the way.
Palaces and museums are nearby, so the gate works well as one stop in a longer day. Plan to walk the street toward the other sights rather than stopping only at the arch.
Getting there
Potsdam is easy to reach from Berlin, which makes it a practical day trip. From the Filmmuseum Potsdam, the gate is about 1.1 km away by bike.
Parking near the gate is paid, both in the car park and on the street. The entrance and the car park are wheelchair accessible.
The gate is open at all hours, so you can walk up at any time. The lights make the evening the most rewarding time to see it.
FAQ
Is Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate older than the one in Berlin?
Yes. The Potsdam gate was built between 1770 and 1771, and it predates the Berlin gate by about 20 years.
Is the gate open at night?
Yes. The gate is open at all hours, and the lights make it look especially good after dark.
How do you get there from Berlin?
Potsdam is easy to reach from Berlin. From the Filmmuseum Potsdam, the gate is about 1.1 km away by bike.
Is parking free near the gate?
No. There is a paid parking lot and paid street parking.
Is the gate wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
