Victory Column and Great Star Roundabout, Berlin

Originally located in front of the Reichstag building until it was relocated to the Tiergarten during the Nazi era, the Victory Column was initially designed in the 1860s to commemorate Prussia's success in the Prusso-Danish war of 1864. However, by the time of its inauguration in September 1873, Prussia had achieved additional victories over both Austria and France, prompting the column's new purpose. To celebrate these later triumphs in the "unification wars", the column was adorned with the addition of a massive bronze sculpture of Victoria, standing at a towering height of 8.3 meters (27 feet) and weighing an impressive 35 tonnes. Locals affectionately refer to this iconic landmark as "Goldelse", which roughly translates to "Golden Lizzy".

Frequently part of the route for marches and parades, the column – a Berlin landmark – is also accessible to pedestrians through four convenient underpasses, which are particularly useful due to the heavy traffic in the area. For a fee, those in good physical condition can climb a steep spiral staircase comprising 281 steps, almost reaching the top of the column, to enjoy magnificent views overlooking the Tiergarten and the radial roads emanating from the Great Star roundabout.

This impressive roundabout, located at the heart of the sprawling Tiergarten park, derives its name from the five major roads that fan out from its center. While the Victory Column stands prominently in the middle, the adjacent square is surrounded by monuments that were moved here from the nearby Reichstag building in the late 1930s. In the square's northern part, you'll encounter a grand bronze monument dedicated to Otto von Bismarck (1815–98), the first German Chancellor, encircled by allegorical figures. Other statues in the vicinity pay homage to national heroes, including Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke (1800–91), who served as the chief of the Prussian general staff from 1858 to 1888 and played a pivotal role in the Franco-German War.

On a beautiful day, you can easily lose track of time exploring the area or simply relaxing on blankets for a delightful picnic.