Random Most Important Gates in History (21 items)

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  (#1) Brandenburg Gate

  • Berlin, Germany

  Built by the Prussian King Frederick William II, Brandenburg Gate was finished in 1791. Meant to be a major entryway into Berlin, it has seen several alterations due to damage from military engagements over the centuries. In fact, one of the last cooperative ventures between East and West Berlin before the Berlin Wall was built focused on restoring the gate from the damage it suffered during WWII.
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  (#2) Golden Gate

  Located in Jerusalem, the Golden Gate's is called Sha'ar HaRachamim in Hebrew, which means "Gate of Mercy." It is the only eastern gate of the Temple Mount and has been walled up at various times throughout history. Though it's exact construction date is unknown, the Golden Gate likely dates back to the late Byzantine, and it is thought to be the oldest gate in the current city walls of Jerusalem.

  Jewish tradition holds that the Divine Presence would appear through the eastern gate and that it will again when the Messiah comes. Jews also prayed for mercy in medieval times at the same location as the Golden Gate. Christian texts depict it as a symbol of the virgin birth, as supposedly Mary's parents met at the gate after the Annunciation, giving the gate meaning across religions.
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  (#3) Gateway of India

  • Mumbai, India

  After four years of construction, the Gateway of India was completed in 1924 in Mumbai. When India was declared independent from Great Britain, the last British troops to leave the country passed through the gate. Ironically, it was originally built to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary.  
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  (#4) Meridian Gate

  • Beijing, China

  The southern entrance to Beijin's famous Forbidden City, the Meridian Gate (Wu Men) supposedly became the place where generals would "offer" their captives to the emperor in a ceremony.  It also served as a location for the emperor to review his troops during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The gate is composed of five arches in total, known as the "Five Pheonix Turrets."
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  (#5) Arc de Triomphe

  • Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris, France

  One of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe stands at an impressive 49.5 meters tall. Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to celebrate his victories in the Napoleonic Wars, it was not finished until 1936. It has since become a focal point of French military parades celebrating historic victories. 
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  (#6) Tiananmen

  • Beijing, China

  Originally finished in 1420 in Beijing, Tiananmen was the entrance to the Imperial City. It completely burnt down in 1457 after being struck by lightning. For the next five hundred years, it was continually destroyed and rebuilt, until 1970 when it reached its present state. In 1989, Tiananmen Square was the site of several protests and demonstrations leading to a government crackdown that ended with over 240 dead. 
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  (#7) Buland Darwaza

  • Fatehpur Sikri, India

  At 54 meters high, the Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world. It was built in 1576 AD by Mughal Emperor Akbar to celebrate his victory over the state of Gujarat. It's the main entrance to the palace at Fatehpur Sikri, which served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. 
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  (#8) India Gate

  • Delhi, India

  A memorial to the 82,000 Indian soldiers who died during the First World War, it is located in New Delhi. The top of the gate is shaped like a bowl so it could be filled with burning oil to commemorate anniversaries, but it's seldom used. Over 13,000 names of soldiers are inscribed on the structure. 
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  (#9) Ishtar Gate

  • Pergamon Museum, Germany

  Built in 575 BC in Babylon, the Ishtar Gate was an engineering marvel for its time with walls 12 meters high. Decorated with glazed brick with images of dragons and bulls, it served as the entrance to a vast antechamber. Originally uncovered in 1899, the gate's excavation lasted nearly twenty years before it was housed in Berlin's Pergamon Museum. 
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  (#10) Arch of Constantine

  • Rome, Italy

  Commissioned by the Roman senate to celebrate Emperor Constantine I's military victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, it is the largest Roman triumphal arch at 21 meters high. Placed on the route Roman emperors traditionally used to enter the city following a successful military campaign, it is adorned with a collage celebrating beloved past emperors. Finished in 315 AD, it was the last arch built by Rome.
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  (#11) Siegestor

  • Munich, Germany

  This gate was built in 1840 in Munich as a monument to the Bavarian Army. Modeled after Rome's Arch of Constantine, it bares the inscription "Consecrated to the victory. Destroyed by war. Admonishing to peace." It was destroyed during WWII, but was fully restored in 1972. 
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  (#12) Puerta de Alcalá

  • Spain

  Originally built in Madrid in 1599 to welcome the wife of King Felipe III, it was demolished and rebuilt in 1769 for King Carlos III. It has since become one of the most famous landmarks in Madrid. Made from granite and standing 19.5 meters, it has four statues on top representing the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. There are also empty trusses on the west side, meant to symbolize the exaltation of peace. 
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  (#13) The Rua Augusta Arch

  Built to celebrate Lisbon's reconstruction following the 1755 earthquake, the Rua Augusta Arch was completed in 1873. The top is adorned with beautiful statues, welcoming all into the city's main pedestrian street.There's an accessible terrace at the top, offering spectacular views of downtown Lisbon. 
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  (#14) Arch of Titus

  • Italy

  Erected by Emperor Domitian in 81 AD to commemorate his brother Titus, who died that very year, it features a celebration of Titus's military victories, with his Siege of Jerusalem receiving central honors. It has since become the standard for many future arches, most notably the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 
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  (#15) Cinquantenaire

  • Brussels, Belgium

  One of the most impressive structures in Brussels, the Arch of Cinquantenaire is the centerpiece of a park made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgium's independence. Most of the buildings in the park were erected in 1880, but the current arch was completed in 1905. The park is home to many public structures, including art and vehicle museums as well as the Great Mosque of Brussels.
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  (#16) Arc de Triomf

  • Barcelona, Spain

  Built in Barcelona in 1888 as the entrance to the Universal Exhibition, the Arc de Triomf was designed by the architect Josep Vilaseca. Built from brick and decorated in neo-Mudejar motifs, it is very indicative of late 19th-century Spanish architecture. At the top of the arch, the shields of the 49 Spanish provinces are depicted along with the Barcelona city coat of arms. 
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  (#17) Gateway Arch

  • St. Louis, Missouri, USA

  Technically more a monument than an actual gate, at 192 meters the Gateway Arch is nonetheless the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. Designed in 1947 but completed in 1965, the Gateway Arch cost $13 million dollars, nearly 200 million by today's standards. On a clear day, you can see it from up to 30 miles away. 
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  (#18) Patuxai

  Funded by the United States government and built between 1957 and 1968, the Patuxai is a monument in Laos dedicated to their hard-earned independence from France. It features four arches and five towers for each of the Buddhist principles: thoughtful amiability, flexibility, honesty, honor, and prosperity. For a small fee (38 cents), you're allowed to travel into the structure and check out the view from the top. 
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  (#19) Arch of Triumph

  • Pyongyang, Pyongan, North Korea

  Not to be outdone by France, Pyongyang's triumphal arch is three meters taller than the Arc de Triomphe. Finished in 1982, it has various sculptures and dates important to North Korea's journey of becoming an independent nation. Unlike many arcs, this one is four-sided and reportedly has dozens of rooms inside.
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  (#20) Washington Square Arch

  Inspired by the Roman arches, the Washington Square Arch was built in 1889 in celebration of the centennial of George Washington's inauguration. It was rebuilt in marble a few short years later and has since become a major New York City monument. It serves as an entrance to Washington Square Park. 
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  (#21) Roosevelt Arch

  • Montana, USA

  The north entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Roosevelt Arch was completed in 1903. Originally, the arch had nothing to do with President Roosevelt, but he happened to be vacationing at the park during the arch's construction and asked to speak at the dedication ceremony. A plaque on the arch reads "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People."

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