Previously, from 1733, there was another, simpler gate on the same spot, which resembled a castle gateway. Together with the city wall, a form of toll or excise barrier, and the other gates it was intended to prevent desertion and smuggling. Towards the end of the
Seven Years' War, Frederick the Great had the old gate demolished and built, in its stead, this new Brandenburg Gate, as a symbol of his victory. For that reason the Brandenburg Gate resembles a Roman
triumphal arch. Its prototype was the
Arch of Constantine in
Rome. The Roman influence of its architectural style can be seen, for example, in the double columns of
Corinthian order as well as the design of the
attic. At that time people had to pass the Brandenburg Gate if they wanted to make their way to the
town of Brandenburg, hence the name. The gate leads walkers into the city centre pedestrian zone of
Brandenburger Straße in an easterly direction up to priory church of St. Peter and St. Paul. == Sources ==