Siegessäule

Tiergarten's biggest monument was built in 1871-73 to commemorate Prussian campaigns against Denmark (1864), Austria (1866) and France (1870-71). Originally planted in front of the Reichstag, the Victory Column was then moved by Hitler to form a centrepiece for the East-West axis connecting western Berlin with the palaces and ministries of Mitte. On top of the column is a gilded Goddess of Victory by Friedrich Drake; captured French cannons and cannonballs, sawn in half and gilded, decorate the column itself. It's 285 steps to the viewing platform.