The Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of Berlin, has been restored and given a lighting makeover. The lighting designers intensively used light simulations throughout the entire planning process. Trial lighting was not possible as the building was covered throughout the design phase through to the unveiling. Virtual luminaires with their photometric light distribution enabled both qualitative conclusions and quantitative analyses. The results were used to determine the arrangement and alignment of the luminaires. The intensive use of simulations for the competitive tender was a crucial factor in the success of the project.