Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, is a city recognized as a World Heritage site due to its impressive palaces and remarkable royal parks once inhabited by the Kings of Prussia. Following the destruction caused by the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, Potsdam underwent significant transformation a century later under the reign of Frederick the Great.
Summary of Highlights
In addition to the dissolution of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1918, the town became the backdrop for a pivotal event in 1945 when the Cecilienhof Palace hosted the Potsdam Conference. The palaces of Potsdam each narrate the history of their royal occupants, reflecting Prussia’s prominence during their respective eras.
Key attractions include Sanssouci Palace, where Frederick the Great found respite, the grand Neuer Schloss, constructed at a time of unprecedented confidence in Prussian power, and the Orangery Palace, a tribute to Frederick William IV’s passion for the Italian Renaissance.
Here are the top attractions in Potsdam:
1. Sanssouci Palace
Constructed between 1745 and 1747, Frederick the Great’s summer residence was intended as a retreat from the formalities of the Berlin court. The name Sanssouci translates roughly to “without worries”, aptly reflecting its purpose.
This exquisite Rococo palace is notably modest in size, featuring a single story, except for the adjacent wings, situated atop a terraced vineyard housing his simple mausoleum.
Despite the extraordinary stuccowork, carved marble, and gilding characteristic of the Rococo era, the overarching goal of the interiors was to promote comfort and sociability.
The highlight remains the stunning Marmorsaal (Marble Hall), where Corinthian columns crafted from Carrara marble support a white and gilt dome above a marble intarsia floor.
2. Sanssouci Park
The palace is surrounded by an expansive park that was designed and landscaped in the years that followed its construction. Encompassing nearly 300 hectares, the park is crisscrossed by pathways bordered by precisely trimmed hedges.
To provide context, it stretches 2.5 kilometers from Sanssouci to the Neues Palais to the west, also established by Frederick the Great in the 1860s.
Though a map is recommended, the park harbors a variety of smaller structures, each charming in its own right and often housing intriguing elements.
For instance, the Bildergalerie features the King’s art collection, showcasing works by Van Dyck, Caravaggio, and Rubens.
Additionally, Frederick commissioned the Chinese House, an eye-catching illustration of Chinoiserie, constructed from 1755 to 1764 to complement his vegetable and flower gardens.
3. Dutch Quarter
During the second expansion of Potsdam from 1733 to 1742, a neighborhood consisting of Dutch-style red brick houses emerged on either side of Mittelstraße. Comprising 134 buildings designed by the Dutch architect Jan Bouman, this area reflects Frederick William I of Prussia’s admiration for Dutch culture and his intention to attract skilled artisans to Potsdam.
Presently, these elegant buildings are well-preserved and accommodate a variety of antique shops, cafes, galleries, design stores, and studios.
The Jan-Bouman-Haus functions as a museum showcasing the historical significance of the quarter, along with a tulip festival in April, a pottery market in September, and a Dutch-style Christmas market in December.
4. Cecilienhof
The last palace built by the House of Hohenzollern, Cecilienhof was constructed during the First World War and reflects the design of an English Tudor home. Characterized by half-timbering and decorative turreted chimney stacks, the architecture was inspired by Hill Bark in Merseyside, the Victorian rendition of Renaissance designs, which the German Crown Prince Wilhelm admired during his visit.
However, Cecilienhof is predominantly significant as the venue for the Potsdam Conference held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, where leaders including President Truman, Winston Churchill (followed by Clement Attlee), and Josef Stalin convened to devise a strategy for post-war Germany and Europe.
5. Neues Palais
In stark contrast to the charming and intimate Sanssouci, the Neues Palais is an imposing Baroque structure built as a testament to Prussian authority, constructed by Frederick the Great following the Seven Years’ War with France. Frederick favored Baroque styles over the emerging Neoclassical trends and employed Johann Gottfried Büring, the designer of the Chinese House and Bildergalerie, for its construction.
Designed to impress foreign dignitaries during banquets, the palace encompasses 200 rooms and four Rococo-style galleries. Among its noteworthy spaces is the Grottensaal, with walls adorned in over 24,000 seashells, gemstones, fossils, and minerals.
Connected to the palace by an underground tunnel are the Communs, the service buildings that support its operations.
6. Brandenburg Gate
Often confused with the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Potsdam’s own Neoclassical arch was completed approximately 20 years earlier, during 1770/71. Commissioned by Frederick William II to honor Prussia’s victory in the Seven Years’ War, this monument replaced an earlier Medieval gate and formed part of the city’s fortifications until their demolition at the dawn of the 20th century.
A remarkable aspect of the Brandenburg Gate is the distinct designs present on its city and “field” sides, fashioned by different architects. The city-facing side, characterized by its pilasters, was created by Carl von Gontard, while the more elaborate field side, complete with double rows of Corinthian columns, was crafted by his disciple Georg Christian Unger.
7. Belvedere auf dem Pfingstberg
Commissioned by Frederick William IV in the mid-19th century, this grand observation platform was constructed to take advantage of the spectacular vistas afforded from the summit of Pfingstberg hill, which stands at 76 meters.
Although the present structure is merely a fragment of the expansive complex that once occupied this site, it represents a significant piece of cultural heritage. The belvedere underwent restoration in the 1990s after being closed off during the era of the Berlin Wall, preventing views of West Berlin.
Positioned on an elevated podium surrounding a courtyard, the structure consists of two towers and three viewing terraces.
The east and west flanks feature impressive colonnades with Corinthian-style pillars, while the north side is adorned with Renaissance arches.
8. Park Babelsberg
Situated at the northeastern edge of Potsdam, this 124-hectare park borders the Tiefen See lake on the River Havel and was designed for Frederick William IV in the 1830s and 1840s.
The gently rolling landscape leading down to the lake was initially developed by designer Peter Joseph Lenné, followed by Hermann, Fürst von Pückler-Muskau, another renowned landscape architect.
Pückler-Muskau devised a network of narrow, winding paths amidst the hills, now populated with mature trees that offer delightful views of the lake.
Frederick William IV’s palace within the park, conceived by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, exemplifies Gothic Revival architecture, resembling a fairytale castle.
Nearby structures also possess Romantic characteristics, including a fortress-like pump house adjacent to the water and the Kleines Schloss (Little Palace).
9. Neuer Garten
From 1787 onwards, Frederick William II (the son of Frederick the Great) developed a new garden located to the north of Potsdam, adjacent to the shores of the Jungfernsee and Heiliger See lakes.
This garden diverges from the structured layout of Sanssouci; while Frederick the Great’s park was highly symmetrical with straight pathways and formal gardens, the Neuer Garten embraces a more casual English style.
Much like Sanssouci, there are numerous attractions to discover within this 102.4-hectare expanse.
Including picturesque servants’ quarters designed as gabled Dutch-style homes, the palace’s ice house constructed like an Egyptian pyramid, an orangery crowned by an Egyptian entrance, a Gothic-style library, and the Marmorpalais (Marble Palace) designed by Carl von Gontard.
10. Museum Barberini
The Palast Barberini was an Italianate palace dating to the 18th century, situated on Alter Markt, that suffered total destruction in 1945. Since 2013, the palace’s facades have been meticulously reconstructed, and the interiors have been modernized to house a new museum that commenced operations in 2017.
Among the notable attendees during the museum’s inauguration were Angela Merkel and Bill Gates. The collection, owned by the American Hasso Plattner Foundation, primarily focuses on artworks from the GDR and significant movements of the past 25 years.
Moreover, the museum provides an overview of painting from the eras of the Old Masters to the 2000s, showcasing pieces by renowned artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Munch.
11. Alexandrowka
This Russian colony was established in the 1820s by Frederick William III as a homage to Tsar Alexander I, who passed away in 1825. The roots of this community trace back to 1812 when Russian soldiers captured by Napoleon formed a choir in Potsdam with the permission of the Tsar.
After the death of Tsar Alexander I, the remaining choir members were granted timber houses styled in the Russian fashion. The colony follows the layout of a St Andrew’s cross, a design by architect Lenné, while the 13 houses were conceived by Italian-born Russian architect Carlo Rossi.
Although the last choir member passed away in 1861, the homes remained within their families, and the last direct descendant died as recently as 2008.
12. Neuer Markt
The Neuer Markt exemplifies Potsdam’s typical grandeur, featuring an array of impressive palaces and townhouses that date back to the 1700s and 1800s.
Notably situated in the southwestern part of the square is the striking Neoclassical Kutschstall, which was formerly the royal coach house and now serves as a museum devoted to Prussian and Brandenburg history.
Additionally, the Kabinetthaus at Am Neuen Markt 1 was once the “city palace” of Frederick William II during his youth as Crown Prince. This building is also the birthplace of philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt, as well as Frederick William III, who was born three years later in 1770.
13. Orangery Palace
Constructed as a later addition to Sanssouci Park, this opulent palace was commissioned for King William IV, who was known for his affinity for Romanticism. Erected between 1851 and 1864, the Orangery Palace showcases an Italian Renaissance style influenced by the renowned Uffizi in Florence and the Villa Medici in Rome.
The facade measures an impressive 300 meters, making it the lengthiest structure within Sanssouci Park. The side wings continue to serve their original purpose, housing the garden’s exotic flora during the winter months.
In the central section are luxurious royal apartments and quarters for household staff, topped with two elegant towers. Additionally, this part includes the “Raffael” hall, inspired by the Vatican’s Sala Regia.
Illuminated by a grand skylight, the hall is decorated with red silk and features 50 replicas of notable Renaissance paintings.
14. Filmmuseum
The oldest film museum in Germany is located within the impressive stables of Potsdam’s former city palace. Recently renovated, the museum now showcases over one million artifacts chronicling the progression of filmmaking.
The central exhibition focuses on Studio Babelsberg, the world’s first film studio, which has been operational since 1912. The facility features an engaging interactive display detailing the various stages of film production, from screenplay writing and casting to makeup, costume design, set creation, filming, editing, sound design, and marketing.
Furthermore, visitors can explore original props, costumes, cameras, microphones, and other items that have been used in film productions over the years.
One highlight is the functioning cinema organ, originally constructed for Chemnitz’s Luxor-Palast cinema in 1929.
15. Nikolaikirche
Opposite the reconstructed facade of the Palast Barberini on Alter Markt stands an impressive Neoclassical church, notable for its grand dome and portico. Designed by court architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Nikolaikirche is the largest church in Potsdam, constructed in two phases from 1830 to 1850. The dome, which reigns at 77 meters above the city, was inspired by St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
The church suffered damage during the war and underwent restoration, with its reconsecration taking place in 1981.
