In the middle of the Tiergarten in the heart of Berlin rises the imposing Victory Column (Siegessäule).
The monument with a fantastic panoramic view over Berlin is one of the most famous landmarks of the city and a popular tourist attraction.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know before your visit. This includes visitor information such as admission, tickets and opening hours, but also the history of the monument.
Let's go!
Things to Do at the Victory Column
The Victory Column, known to many for the big parties of the Love Parade, is a national monument and one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the German capital.
Read below what you can see and do on site:
1. Marvel at the Architecture
Before heading inside the landmark, why not take time to look at the architecture of the Victory Column? Each of the three original segments of the 67-meter-high column commemorates a victory. Of particular note are the gilded cannon barrels, which can be seen in the lower three of the total of four column drums, and were captured from the war.
Victoria, the goddess of victory, who crowns the monument, generally attracts everyone's attention. The gilded 8.3-meter-high and 35-ton bronze sculpture with an eagle-adorned helmet is affectionately called "Goldelse" by Berliners. Her eagle helmet also makes Victoria appear as Borussia, the personification of Prussia. She holds a laurel wreath in one hand and a field sign with the Iron Cross in the other.
- Tip: Come back after dark and see how the monument is lit up at night. The illuminated Victory Column is definitely a real eye-catcher and a great backdrop for photos.
2. View the Exhibition & Mosaics
Once you enter the Victory Column, a small exhibition welcomes you with background information on the history of the iconic structure, as well as information and models of other national monuments of Germany.
The path to the founding of the German Empire is shown by the bronze reliefs and mosaics in the colonnade. The impressive mosaic with battle scenes was created by Anton von Werner.
3. Admire the View
The highlight is, of course, the breathtaking panoramic view of Berlin that visitors can enjoy from the top of the column.
You reach the viewing platform at about 51 meters above sea level via a spiral staircase with 285 steps. As a reward for the quite strenuous climb, Berlin lies at your feet. Admire the Tiergarten, the Berlin TV Tower, Bellevue Palace, the Spree River and many other sights.
4. Watch the Hustle and Bustle of the Square
The Victory Column stands on the square, with the beautiful name Großer Stern (“Large Star”). It was laid out under Elector Frederick III around 1698. In 1742 and then again from 1833 to 1840 it was expanded into a representative square.
Today, four major traffic axes converge on the square, including the Straße des 17. Juni, where in 2008 the then U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama gave a speech to 200,000 Berliners. A multi-lane traffic circle has been built around the Großer Stern, which is used by around 180,000 vehicles every day.
Entrance, Tickets & Tours for the Victory Column
- Entrance: The Victory Column is open every day except Christmas Eve. From April to October, it is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays, and until 7 pm on weekends. From November to March, it is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Tickets: Tickets for the observation deck can be purchased in a ticket office at the Victory Column.
- Tours: If you want to discover these and other highlights of the German capital in a flexible way and on your own, we recommend the audio guide app Best of Berlin Tour by YourMobileGuide
How to get to the Victory Column in Berlin?
The Victory Column is located on the Großer Stern square, which is surrounded by a traffic circle. Access to the column is therefore possible only through an underground pedestrian tunnel. Four gatehouses in neoclassical style, located north and south of Straße des 17. Juni, mark the entrance to the tunnel.
- From Alexanderplatz: Take bus 100 and go 10 stops to the "Großer Stern" stop.
- From Potsdamer Platz: Go one stop on the S-Bahn S1, S2 or S25 to "Brandenburger Tor". Then change to bus 100 and go five stops to the "Großer Stern" stop.
FAQ about the Victory Column
The Victory Column in Berlin was erected to commemorate Prussia's victories in the so-called Unification Wars against Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866 and France in 1870/71. Each of the three original segments of the column commemorates a victory.
The Victory Column is located in the Tiergarten in Berlin's Mitte district. It stands on the square Großer Stern. The address is: Großer Stern 1, 10785 Berlin
The Victory Column was commissioned by the Prussian King Wilhelm I and built between 1864 and 1873. The German architect Heinrich Strack was commissioned to build it.
History & Facts about the Victory Column Berlin
The Victory Column (in German: "Siegessäule") was erected by order of the Prussian King Wilhelm I from 1864 to 1873 in commemoration of Prussia's victories in the so-called Unification Wars against Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866 and France in 1870/71.
It originally stood on Königsplatz in front of the Reichstag, today's Platz der Republik, and had three segments. At that time, the height of the structure was 60.5 meters.
At Hitler's behest, the column was raised by another segment and, as part of the redesign of the "Reichshauptstadt Germania," it was moved to the Großer Stern square along with the monuments to General Field Marshal Roon and Moltke, who were victorious in the German Wars of Liberation, and the Bismarck National Monument. On April 20, 1939, Hitler's 50th birthday, the ensemble was inaugurated with a gigantic military parade.
Today, the Victory Column, now 67 meters high, is one of the most important national monuments in Germany.
Contact & Map
- Address: Siegessäule, Großer Stern, 10557 Berlin, Germany.
- Opening Hours: April to October: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday until 7 p.m.; November to March: Monday to Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Public Transport: Bus lines 100, 106, 187, N26 to "Großer Stern"
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