Berlin: area by area – Tiergarten - Siegessäule

The Siegessäule, with its golden statue of Victory, is one of the most imposing landmarks in the city, and reflects the city's history in remarkable fashion.

Originally constructed on the Königsplatz (now the Platz der Republik, in front of the »Reichstag) as the national monument to Germany's "Wars of Unification", it was built to plans by Heinrich Strack from 1864–73 to commemorate victory in the Prussian-Danish war.
After further victories against Austria and France, it was supplemented with Ferdinand Drake's 8.3m-high golden Victoria (also known as Golden Else). During the Third Reich, a fourth column drum was added, bringing the total height to 67m. In 1938/39, the monument was moved to the Großer Stern crossroads in the »Tiergarten, as part of the redesigning of the "Capital of the German Reich".
Surviving the war without major damage, it was restored in the 1980s.
It features a columned hall with relieves by Alexander Candrelli, Karl Keil, Moritz Schultz and Wolff depicting portraits and battle scenes. These were removed at the behest of the Allies, but reinstated in the 1980s.
The glass mosaic created by Anton von Werner also depicts battle scenes.
Golden gun barrels from the spoils of war decorate the column shaft.
A viewing platform on the column offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city.