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| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Symbol of Berlin The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor in German), the magnificent entrance to Berlin in Germany, is the symbol of this beautiful city. Located on the Pariser Platz, it is the only remaining gate of a series of gates through which one entered Berlin. To its north lies the Reichstag. It forms the monumental ending to the Unter den Linden , the renowned avenue of linden trees which lead directly to the royal residence. It was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm II as a sign of peace, and built by Karl Gotthard Langhans between 1788 and 1791.
The Brandenburg Gate consists of 12 Greek Doric columns, six on each side. This allows for five roadways, although the public was initially allowed to use only the outer two. Above the gate is the Quadriga, consisting of the image of the goddess of peace driving a four-horse chariot, signifying victory. The gate is 26 metres (65 feet) high, 65.5 metres (213 feet) wide and 11 metres (36 feet) thick. The design of the gate is believed to be based on the Propylea, the gateway to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. This was the first Greek revival neo-classical structure in Berlin, which would become the Spreeathen (Athens on the River Spree) by the 1830s, shaped by the strict neo-classicism style of architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. While the main design of the Brandenburg Gate has remained the same since it was completed, the gate has played varying roles in Germany's history. First, Napoleon took the Quadriga to Paris in 1806, after conquering Berlin. When it returned to Berlin in 1814, the olive wreath of the statue was exchanged for the Iron Cross, and it became the goddess of victory. The Nazis used the gate to symbolise their power after they took up the reins of the country. The only structure left standing in the ruins of Pariser Platz in 1945, apart from the ruined Academy of Fine Arts, the gate was restored by the East and West Berlin governments. However, in 1961, it was closed when the Berlin Wall was built. Finally, when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the gate came to symbolise the freedom and unity of the city. It re-opened on December 22 that year, when West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl walked through, to be greeted by East German Prime Minister, Hans Modrow. On December 21, 2000, work began once again to refurbish the Brandenburg Gate, this time using lasers to clean grit, and replacing more than 1,000 pieces of stone. The project was estimated to cost around three million US dollars. A great medieval fortress in North Wales We have already written about many ancient castles in the United Kingdom. Not to be outdone by any of these better-known castles in this country is the Caernarfon Castle in Wales.
The huge Caernarfon Castle at Caernarfon, in the heart of North Wales, is located in a peninsula bordered by the Menai Strait, overlooking the River Seiont. It is recognised as one of the greatest medieval fortresses in Europe. It dominates the Menai Strait, which played a strategic role during the campaigns of King Edward I of England, to conquer Wales. The castle was built by Edward I following his successful conquest of the area in 1277, and the defeat of the then Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The king is said to have built many castles in Wales to keep the Welsh people under control. His so-called 'Iron Ring' included the Beaumaris, Conwy and Harlech castles, but the best and the most impressive of these is said to be the Caernarfon Castle. It was built not only as a military stronghold, but also as the seat of the government and as a royal palace. The stone castle was built on the site of an older Norman castle. Construction was started around 1283 during Llywelyn's unsuccessful uprising against the king. Legend says the king's son, Edward II was born in this castle a year later, in 1284, but there is no evidence to this effect. By 1323, it had gained the shape and appearance with which it's known today. The castle was never completed, and this state of half-completion is still evident in the joints left for more walls which were never built. It is said that construction had cost over 22,000 pounds, which was an exorbitant sum of money those days, equalling a year's income for the royal treasury. The concentric (having one centre) design of the castle was rather sophisticated in comparison to other structures of the period and it's said that the walls were modelled on those of Constantinople, the then imperial power of Rome. The walls have a prominent pattern with bands of stones in different colours. The castle has a main entrance, upper and lower wards and towers, of which one could walk upto the top. The towers are different from other towers of the day, as they are built in an angular shape rather than the usual rounded shape. The castle was attacked during an uprising in 1294-1295, but the garrison continued to be supplied from the sea and held their positions until more troops arrived in 1295. It also held against a 1403/1404 siege effected by Owain Glyndwr. However, its Royalist garrison surrendered to the parliamentary forces during the 1646 English Civil War. The castle was the venue for the investitures (official granting of position or rank) of the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VIII) in 1911, and also for the present Prince of Wales, Charles, in 1969. A major reconstruction project carried out in the 19th century has given the castle its present appearance. The World Heritage Site is currently home to the Museum of Royal Welch
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