Before the Second World War, the “Long Bridge” (Lange Brücke), built in 1660 by the Great Elector, led directly to the palace. Badly damaged by bombing in 1945, this symbol of the Prussian monarchy was destroyed in 1960 for ideological reasons. St Nicholas's Church (Nikolaikirche), one of the most beautiful examples of German neo-Classical architecture, overlooks the square. The dome, finished in 1850, was inspired by famous domes such as that of St Peter’s in Rome or St Paul’s in London.