There is some sort of mournful elegance about Berlin and this is encapsulated in the city's many statues. For they have been witness to some of the darkest hours in European history. Take for example the imfamous Quadriga racing atop the Brandenburg gate. The victorious Emperor Napoleon liked it so much that in 1806 he took it back to France with him.

The statue was subsequently reinstated in its rightful position but during the period of the Third Reich under Hitler, it became a centre piece for Nazi propoganda. After this, it was witness to the Allies and Soviet forces converging on the German capital. It was not long before the Soviets built the Berlin wall which stretched from either side of the gate beneath. The Quadriga then had its back to western Europe, only for the wall to come down in 1989 and once again Germany stood united beneath her.

 The Tiergarten is a huge park that lies to the west of the Quadriga. It is home to many statues. The most prominent is the Siegessuale erected originally in front of the Riechstag to commemorate  Prussian victories. Naturally the Statue on top of a huge column is the female form of Victory and she has a great pair of wings on her back. She was moved in 1938 by Hitler to the centre of Tiergarten park.

Another Wagnerian sort of female sits beautifully on a horse to the South West of the Brandenburg gate. She wields an axe but does not look threatening. Somehow the elements have faded her and the trusty steed so that their streaky grey colours contrast brilliantly with the green foliage of the park that surrounds them.

 Just near the Wagnerian type lady is a brilliant family of Lions. They are so detailed and excellently sculpted that one would almost expect them to come to life. The Lion stands proudly on guard above his Lioness who lays beneath and shelters her two little cubs while licking her paw. 

1) The Brandenburg gate

2) The Reichstag

3) The Sony centre

4) The Tiergarten

5) Treptower park

Treptower park's Soviet memorials were built in 1949 to commemorate the Soviet victory over National Socialism in Germany. Thousands of Soviet troops lost their lives trying to take Berlin until ultimately succeeding. The memorial was not just built for them but also the millions of Soviets civilians who lost their lives as a result of the failed Nazi attempt to invade the Russian territory.

The first statue one can see as one enters the memorial area is that of Mother Russia weeping. Then one walks down an avenue of weeping beech trees until coming to two huge identical constructions with the Hammer and sickle emblazoned on them. Beneath each of these is a crouching Soviet soldier with a machine gun (See picture).

Then one walks down some concrete steps past concrete blocks which represent each of the countries which made up the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Each of these has a quote from Stalin on one side and on the two long sides, murals depicting various stages of the Soviet's struggle.

The centrepiece of the park however, is a huge statue of a Soviet soldier carrying a child. He holds a sword which has just smashed the Nazi swastika. This statue was constructed in Leningrad and then made it's way to Treptower by road and water in six pieces.

Underneath this huge statue is a grotto which is reminiscent of Russian Orthodox murals.