An imposing external feature of the building is the tower, approximately 80 metres (260 ft) tall,[9] which rises from a square base over the central bay facing Judenstraße. Inspired by those designed by Carl von Gontard for the French and German Cathedrals on the Gendarmenmarkt,[9][10] it consists of a double set of cylinders with encircling columns,.[3] This structure is surmounted by a dome on which a 3.25 metres (10.7 ft) copper sculpture of the goddess Fortuna, by Ignatius Taschner, stands on a gilded globe.[8][11] It was originally intended to show that Berlin "is taking an upward path in its development".