The Brandenburg Gate is no doubt one of Germany's great landmarks described in some tourist rags as the symbol of Berlin, signifying her glory, her defeats, her power and her weaknesses.
Built in the late 1700's as an arch of triumph, she was also one of 18 gates leading into the old city of Berlin.
By all regards this is a very striking piece of architecture and a dominating structure on the landscape.
She stands over 26 metres in height and overlooks the Pariser Platz, a large square intended as a great outdoor room - an entrance hall if you like into the city.
It's an impressive sight.
But even more impressive is the fact that she has stood through so much change.
She watched over Germany in her full glory in the 1800s, saw Berlin as the cultural and entertainment capital of Europe in the 1920's where cabaret flourished (yes that's where the musical is based).
She survived the Second World War - although not unscathed, when the Allies bombed and entered Berlin at the close of the war.
In fact the Nazis held rallies in the Parsier Platz beneath her.
And of course during the Cold War she was completely cut off from the rest of the world when the Berlin Wall was erected only meters from her.
Then nearly 30 years later, in 1989, she was witness to the fall of the wall and everything it symbolized, one of the key moments of modern history.
After decades of neglect, in 1992 she was restored to her formal glory.
Berlin is a beautiful city with many great landmarks, and when I was there I kept finding myself going back to the Brandenburg Gate.
I found the place absolutely fascinating because it's so full of history.
What I found really inspirational is quite simply the fact that she has endured so much change.
Change is inevitable in our lives and in our world and the Brandenburg Gate is a reminder of that.
And as we enter a period of great uncertainty and change, to me she is a symbol of our ability as humans to endure change - whether good or bad - and of our ability to look forward with hope and great optimism.
Built in the late 1700's as an arch of triumph, she was also one of 18 gates leading into the old city of Berlin.
By all regards this is a very striking piece of architecture and a dominating structure on the landscape.
She stands over 26 metres in height and overlooks the Pariser Platz, a large square intended as a great outdoor room - an entrance hall if you like into the city.
It's an impressive sight.
But even more impressive is the fact that she has stood through so much change.
She watched over Germany in her full glory in the 1800s, saw Berlin as the cultural and entertainment capital of Europe in the 1920's where cabaret flourished (yes that's where the musical is based).
She survived the Second World War - although not unscathed, when the Allies bombed and entered Berlin at the close of the war.
In fact the Nazis held rallies in the Parsier Platz beneath her.
And of course during the Cold War she was completely cut off from the rest of the world when the Berlin Wall was erected only meters from her.
Then nearly 30 years later, in 1989, she was witness to the fall of the wall and everything it symbolized, one of the key moments of modern history.
After decades of neglect, in 1992 she was restored to her formal glory.
Berlin is a beautiful city with many great landmarks, and when I was there I kept finding myself going back to the Brandenburg Gate.
I found the place absolutely fascinating because it's so full of history.
What I found really inspirational is quite simply the fact that she has endured so much change.
Change is inevitable in our lives and in our world and the Brandenburg Gate is a reminder of that.
And as we enter a period of great uncertainty and change, to me she is a symbol of our ability as humans to endure change - whether good or bad - and of our ability to look forward with hope and great optimism.