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| Berlin Tourism, Potsdam Tourism, Berlin Incentives |
Potsdam - Royal Palaces and Gardens Virtual tour of Potsdam
Potsdam, once Germany's most important city as residence
to Prussian kings and German emperors, claims Frederick the Great as its
most flamboyant resident. The splendour of Sanssouci Palace, built by Frederick the
Great, draws on the fabulous architecture of Versailles in France. It stands
on a hill in the middle of a 287-hectare landscape park and is perhaps Germany's
best known example of rococo architecture. |
Visit the town, palaces, gardens and parks.
Sanssouci Palace and Park - an exceptional masterpiece of Prussian Rococo
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This dazzlingly beautiful palace was Frederick the Great´s favourite and, together with the nearby vineyards, offers a breathtaking feast to the eye. Its name translates as "without a care", and it was here that Old Fred sought retreat into a life of philosophy and fine arts. The summer residence of this suitably enlightened monarch was the setting for illustrious gatherings whose participants included diplomats, members of the officer corps, writers and philosophers, and which gave Frederick the Great the chance to show off his many talents - musician, composer, author and philosopher - and for his personality to sparkle. Prussia´s king not only resided at Sanssousi, but also died there in 1786, expressing a desire to be buried alongside. This architectural masterpiece has been a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1990. |
Art Gallery, Orangery, New Chambers and New Palace - regal palaces set in a regal ambience.
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This collection of palaces and museums may differ in size, layout and use, but there's one thing they have in common: the elegance and finery of their interiors are, through their timeless beauty and authenticity, true highlights of 18th century architecture that have survived all wars and social unrest and whose grandeur and opulence will surprise and delight the visitor today. |
The Chinese Tea-house - an exotic pavilion, a taste of Chinese design.
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Shimmering amidst the golden glades of Sanssouci's parkland, this pavilion, maintained in Frederick the Great's favourite colours, invites one to tarry awhile, perchance to dream. It offered an exotic setting for small gatherings and festivities. This mix of architectural clichés of Rococo and Far Eastern design was not only the height of fashion during the 18th century, but also the king's personal preference. |
The Cecilienhof Palace - where history dwells.
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The Cecilienhof Palace, built between 1913 and 1917 by Emperor Wilhelm II. for his eldest son, Crown Prince Wilhelm and his consort, Crown Princess Cecilia, is situated in the northern part of the `Neuen Garten`. Constructed in the style of an English Tudor country house, it was the last palace to be built by the Hohenzollern dynasty. It is best known as the location of the Potsdam Conference, held between the 17th of July and the 2nd of August 1945, at which the allied powers, represented by Joseph Stalin, Harry S Truman and Winston Churchill (later replaced by Clement Attlee) presided over the destiny of a defeated Germany. |
Alexandrowka - the small Russian colonial settlement.
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In northern Potsdam, at the foot of the Pfingst Hills, lies the colony of Alexandrowka.
Formerly a Russian military settlement, it comprises 12 ornate blockhouses with a warden's residence, a regal country house as well as a Russian Orthodox chapel up on the hill. The Alexandrowka colony was established in 1826-27 by order of Friedrich Wilhelm the Third, in memory of his late friend Tsar Alexander the First. A museum can be found in House Number 2, which provides visitors with an insight into the colony's past.
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The Dutch Quarter - a touch of Dutch.
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This unique collection of buildings, commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm the First - known as the Soldier King - to house the Dutch artisans who helped colonise Potsdam between 1734 and 1742, are a "must see" stop on the tourist trail.
It is comprised of four blocks with a total of 140 gable-fronted, brick-built houses. Today, this bohemian district offers a wide selection of boutiques, antique and bric-a-brac shops, as well as cosy cafes and restaurants, providing the perfect environment for a relaxing and enjoyable stroll.
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Potsdam`s Town Centre - the Nikolai Church, Fortuna Gate and the Museum of Film.
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Few other places allow you to experience so much history at first hand. The erstwhile Potsdam Castle once stood here, but only the Fortuna Gate, rebuilt in 2002, serves to remind us of this. Nearby can be seen the Museum of Film. This red building, once the Prussian Royal Mews, began life in 1685 as an orangery. It took its present form in the 18th century from no lesser person than Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, who was also responsible for the building of the Sanssouci Palace. beside stands the Nikolia Church, a classical sacred building by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, as well as the marble obelisk in the middle of the market square, the old Town Hall with its gilded statue of Atlas, and the `Knobelsdorfhaus´. |
Krongut Bornstedt - Eat, drink and enjoy life in an aristocratic atmosphere.
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The Krongut Bornstedt, formerly the country seat of the Prussian crown, is situated right behind the Sanssouci Palace.
Now lavishly fitted out in the style of a `Hofbräuhaus´, visitors are invited to partake of Brandenburg's finest food and drink. Much is made of the brew known as `Bornstedter Büffel`, Habel's winery, as well as the court bakery and Café Victoria. Brandenburg's long-established handicrafts are carried on here. Milliners, weavers, candle-makers, and those working in pewter and ceramics ply their trade in the time-honoured fashion, and visitors can purchase the finished product from source at popular prices. www.krongut-bornstedt.de |
Babelsberg Studios - a look behind the scenes of film and television.
Babelsberg Film and Television Studios' rise to fame began with stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Emil Jannings and Heinz Rühmann. Over three thousand productions were filmed here, including `Metropolis´, `Die Feuerzangenbowle´, `Baron Münchhausen´ and `Die 3 von der Tankstelle´. Successful film and television productions are still made here today (such as the soap opera `Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten´), both for the domestic and international market. Stroll round the sets, look at the props and slip into extravagant costumes worn by the stars. Experience at first hand special effects and the work of the stunt crew. Enter the wonderful world of make-believe.