The majestic Potsdam archway has its models in Roman triumphal arches, especially the Arch of Constantine from the fourth century. That arch stands right next to the Colosseum in Rome, on the Via Triumphalis, a magnificent road on which the Roman generals paraded triumphantly into the city after victorious battles.

When Frederick the Great had the gate built on this spot in 1770, he himself had returned as a successful commander and victor from the Seven Years' War. So Roman architecture seemed very fitting to him. Ultimately Prussia emerged from the war as a major European power.

In Rome, as in the smaller Potsdam copy, a high gateway for vehicles with a round arch dominates the middle of the gate. The lower gateways on the sides weren't opened for pedestrians until later. At first there were only guardhouse windows.

Friedrich commissioned two architects to design it: Georg Christian Unger was responsible for the magnificent side facing the fields and Luisenplatz square, embellished with four pairs of Corinthian double columns. The gate is crowned by a large heraldic cartouche with the Prussian eagle, flanked by Mars and Hercules. Frederick's initials, FR for Fridericus Rex, are displayed in the middle over the central archway, framed by two depictions of Pheme, who personified fame, blowing her trumpet.

The side facing the city, designed by Carl von Gontard, is much plainer. Here double columns also adorn the edges, but there's only one column on each side of the main archway. So Frederick's triumph was meant more to be seen from outside, by those entering the city from the west.