Victory Column

Erected in 1873 to celebrate Prussia's victories over Denmark, Austria, and France, the Siegessäule was later moved by the Nazis to its current spot at the heart of Tiergarten park as part of a planned monumental redesign of Berlin, ironically placing it further from the battles it commemorates. Its gilded bronze statue of Victoria, nicknamed 'Golden Else' by Berliners, tops a column that visitors can climb via just under 300 narrow steps to a viewing platform with views across the park and down the boulevards radiating from the roundabout below. Reviewers consistently say the climb is worth the effort despite tired legs, especially in autumn when the surrounding Tiergarten foliage adds color to the view. It's a moderately active stop best combined with a longer walk or bike ride through the park.