The King's Chamber (2018/2019) by Palace of Versailles & Google Arts & CulturePalace of Versailles
Buildings and monuments are often the focal points for major events. Whether they're symbols of unification like the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin or beacons of hope like One World Trade Center in New York, these structures are bound to the events they represent forever.
Manhattan Island and One World Trade Center - New York , USAHUMAN
One World Trade Center
Although One World Trade Center stands on the site of the original World Trade Center which was destroyed during the September 11th attacks in 2001. The new tower, opened in 2014, stands on the northwest corner of the 16-acre site.
One World Trade Center
The architect for the highly emotive project was David Childs, whose firm also designed the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Willis Tower in Chicago. On its completion in 2013, the tower stood at 1,776 feet (541 m), the highest building in North America.
The Orangery, Estate of Versailles by Jules Hardoin-MansardPalace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles
Located just 12 miles west of Paris, the Palace of Versailles has been at the heart of French life since it was developed by Louis XIV in the 17th century. Packed to the brim with priceless artworks and surrounded by exquisite gardens, the palace attracts a whopping 15 million visitors every year.
The Hall of Mirrors (2018/2019) by Palace of Versailles & Google Arts & CulturePalace of Versailles
Over the centuries, it’s been used as a residence by Louis XIII, Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI and it was seen as the de facto capital of France. In 1783, the last two treaties of the Paris Peace, which ended the American Revolutionary War, were signed at the palace. In 1789, when the French Revolution swept the country, the royal family was forced out of Versailles forever.
Palace of Versailles
In 1919 The Treaty of Versailles formally brought an end to the First World War. However, many believe that it also laid the foundations for the Second World War which would engulf Europe just 20 years later.
Brandenburg Gate (1966-05-01) by John WatermanGetty Images
The Brandenburg Gate
Constructed in the late 18th century on the orders of Prussian king Frederick William II, the Brandenburg Gate is a neoclassical monument and one of the most iconic sights in Germany. The entrance to the tree-lined Unter Den Linden boulevard, it was built on the site of a former city gate that guarded the road from the town of Brandenburg.
3D model of Brandenburg Gate by CyArkCyArk
Between 1961 and 1989, the Berlin Wall passed directly by the western side of the Brandenburg Gate. Because the gate was already a famous landmark, it soon became a focal point for protestors calling for peace.
When the wall fell, the gate became a symbol for German unity. On 22nd December 1989, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl walked through the gate to be met by his East German counterpart Hans Modrow.
Ground level view of the Brandenburg Gate by CyArkCyArk
Learn more about the Brandenburg Gate here.
