Berlin’s Tiergarten is a sprawling park of wooded paths, lawns and ponds in the heart of the city. Once a royal hunting ground, it evolved into a public landscape where Berliners come to run, cycle and unwind. At its centre, the gilded Victory Column, or Siegessäule, rises above the Großer Stern roundabout.
The column was inaugurated in 1873 to commemorate Prussian military victories. Originally located in front of the Reichstag, it was moved and heightened during the Nazi-era redesign of Berlin. Today, its observation platform offers a striking view along the Straße des 17. Juni towards the Brandenburg Gate, as well as across Tiergarten’s canopy and the city beyond.
Allow time to explore beyond the monument: quieter paths and waterside stretches make the park a welcome break from central Berlin’s busy sights. The climb to the column’s platform involves a spiral staircase, so check current opening hours before visiting. Tiergarten S-Bahn station and Hansaplatz U-Bahn station are useful starting points; to reach the column itself, use the pedestrian underpasses rather than crossing the busy roundabout.