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Sanssouci Palace

No other palace is more closely connected with the personality of Frederick the Great than Sanssouci. The name Sanssouci – "without care" – should be understood as the aspiration and leitmotif of the king, because it is here that he most preferred to withdraw from the world with his dogs. In the end, Frederick the Great's summer residence was both a favorite place and an important sanctuary for him in difficult times.
The location of the palace on the celebrated vineyard terraces and the originally preserved, 18th century interior decorations permit today's visitor to become immersed in the world of the philosophers from Sanssouci. The rooms are marked by elegance and tasteful displays of splendor. They also let the king's love for delightful surroundings, for the Prussian Arcadia, be clearly felt. It is interesting that the king desired to be buried in a grave on the highest vineyard terrace. Even in death, he wanted to be near his Sanssouci. His wish, although quite belated, was finally fulfilled in 1991.

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Attractions at Sanssouci Park

Orangery in Sanssouci Park

The Orangery in Sanssouci Park is an impressive example of the buildings created by Frederick William IV, who was known as the "Romantic on the throne." The imposing building complex - including greenhouses and the central Orangery Palace, sculptures, fountains, arcades and terraces - brings a bit of the Mediterranean sun to Potsdam, while graphically documenting Frederick William IV's ardent admiration for Italy. Italian Renaissance villas served as its models.
The architectural ensemble was created between 1851-64. During the extended construction period, Ludwig Persius, August Stüler and Ludwig Ferdinand Hesse were responsible for the plans, although the king's designs were unquestionably incorporated.
In addition to the lateral greenhouses, which even today serve as the winter storage for large potted plants that are sensitive to the cold, the building, which is over 300 meters long, also includes former royal apartments and servants' living quarters. The impressive Raphael Hall, located in the central section of the three-winged complex, accommodates a notable collection of more than 50, 19th century copies of paintings by Raphael.

Opening Hours:

Summer
1. May - 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Tuesday - Friday guided tour

Winter
1. November - 31. March
Monday - Sunday closed

April
1. April - 30. April
Monday - Friday closed
Saturday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Guided tour

Admission:
Regular: 6,00 €
Reduced: 5,00 €

Picture Gallery in Sanssouci Park

The paintings of King Frederick II (Frederick the Great) are presented in splendidly carved and gilded frames at Sanssouci's Picture Gallery (Bildergalerie im Park Sanssouci), the oldest remaining royal museum in Germany.
Frederick II commissioned the Picture Gallery as a separate building, near Sanssouci Palace, to accommodate a selection of works from his painting collection. Johann Gottfried Büring erected the long building from 1755-64.
The contrast between the modest exterior and the lavish interiors is unexpected. The gallery's exquisite interior decoration, which in itself is worth a visit, presents gilded ornamentation and gleaming floors of yellow and white marble, a colorful, stone inlaid floor, both classical and Baroque sculpture, as well as allegories of the arts and sciences in stuccowork high above the heads of the visitors. In addition to paintings from Frederick's original collection, paintings from other Prussian palaces are also included in the display. Among the highlights are Caravaggio's "Doubting Thomas," Anton van Dyck's "Pentecost" and works by Peter Paul Rubens.

Opening Hours:

Summer
1. May - 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm with Audioguide
Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Winter
1. November - 30. April
Monday - Sunday closed

Admission:
Regular: 6,00 €
Reduced: 5,00 €

New Chambers at Sanssouci Palace

In 1771, Frederick the Great had his Orangerie – which had been erected in 1745 by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff – redesigned as a guesthouse. Johann Christian Unger managed the refurbishment of the building, which is located directly next to Sanssouci Palace. Its simple and almost austere facade does not hint at the glamour and festive atmosphere of the interior. The decoration of the rooms is characteristic of a late and very high-quality Rococo.
At the centre of the New Chambers, Sanssouci Palace (Neue Kammern am Schloss Sanssouci) lies the Jaspis Room lined with precious stones and topped off with a large ceiling fresco with a depiction of Venus. In the Ovid Gallery, a room in the style of a French mirror gallery, 14 gilded stucco reliefs delight visitors with the blazing sensuality of motifs taken from Ovid's "Metamorphoses". The guest rooms are designed as wood-inlay, lacquer and picture cabinets. Especially notable are the inlay cabinets designed by the Spindler brothers.

Opening Hours:

Summer
1. April - 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm with Audioguide
Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Winter
1. November - 31. March
Monday - Sunday closed

Admission:
Regular: 6,00 €
Reduced: 5,00 €

New Palace

At the western end of the main promenade in Sanssouci Parc, known as the Hauptallee, rises a monumental palace building, the New Palace, whose high tambour, or drummed cupola, is recognizable from quite a distance. This colossal, architectural complex clearly served an official, representative function, in sharp contrast to the intimate, and rather modest, vineyard palace.
The interior is filled with luxurious ceremonial halls, magnificant galleries and richly designed private suites. The New Palace is also home to works of art and decorative objects from the 18th century in their original surroundings as well as the Sanssouci Palace theatre which is located in the southern wing.
The New Palace was the last palace built by Frederik the Great in this park. It's opulence and grandeur served as a clear reminder of the continuing power of the Prussian state after years of deprivation caused by the Seven Years' War (1756-63). Frederick himself rarely stayed at the palace and it was later used predominantely as guest apartments and for festivities. It was not until the reign of Wilhelm II, Germany's last emperor, that the New Palace became the main royal residence.

Opening Hours:

Summer
1. April - 31. October
Tuesday closed
Wednesday - Monday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

Winter
1. November - 31. March
Monday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday closed
Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 4:30 pm*
*Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Guided Tour

Admission:
Regular: 8,00 €
Reduced: 6,00 €

Church of Peace at Sanssouci Park

The Church of Peace was built from 1845–54, according to plans by Ludwig Persius and August Stüler, based on the designs of Frederick William IV. The triple-nave basilica is part of an architectural ensemble that includes the neighboring vicarage and the small Marly Palace. The ensemble embodied the king's piety, which was influenced by both the Romantic era and his admiration for Italy. The Church of Peace was modeled after the early Christian church of San Clemente in Rome.
In the style of medieval sacred architecture, cloisters, columned courtyards, and a covered colonnade were attached to the church. On the east side of the building complex is an area designed with a man-made pond and a garden, while the west façade leads to the Marly Garden. Lenné redesigned this former kitchen garden of Frederick William I into an intimate landscaped garden within a small setting.
In contrast to the pure natural stone of the architectural exterior, the effect of the church's interior is quite animated due to the implementation of a variety of colorful, carefully chosen types of marble. The apse is decorated with a rare original mosaic from the first half of the 13th century, which came from the Church of San Cipriano in Venice. Its form is the only one of its kind north of the Alps.

Opening Hours:
Summer
1. May - 1. October
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Autumn
2. October - 31. October
Monday - Saturday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sonntag 12:00 - 17:00 Uhr

Winter
1. November - 14. March
Monday - Friday closed
Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Spring
15. March - 30. April
Monday - Saturday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Free admission

Chinese House in Sanssouci Park

The stately Chinese House (Chinesisches Haus) in the "Deer Garden" of Sanssouci Park is an impressive example of the widespread fashion and fascination with China, which influenced the cultural tastes of 18th century court circles throughout Europe.
The pavilion's exterior view is characterized by life-sized gilded figures that are placed singularly or in groups around the building. Dressed as if in a fairy tale, Chinese musicians and figures drinking tea are represented; their exotic character perfectly harmonizing with the columns shaped as gilded palms. Peter Benckert and Johann Gottlieb Heymüller created this delightful, fictive ensemble "à la chinois."
Commissioned by Frederick the Great, Johann Gottfried Büring built the Chinese House from 1754-64 as a charming and exotic garden pavilion, shaped in the form of a cloverleaf. The walls of the interiors are adorned with gilded consoles, displaying 18th century porcelain. The large ceiling painting depicts a lively Chinese social gathering in an illusionistic, architectural setting.

The Chinese House (Chinesisches Haus) in the "Deer Garden" of Sanssouci Park  is currently closed due to the corona pandemic!

Opening Hours:
Summer
1. May - 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Winter
1. November - 30. April
Monday - Sunday closed

Admission:
Regular: 4,00 €
Reduced: 3,00 €

Charlottenhof Palace

Charlottenhof Palace is a small neoclassical summer residence located to the southwest of Sanssouci. After 1826 it was made the focus point of the park through the deliberate garden design. A manor house stood on the same location as the palace during the 18th century. In 1825, King Friedrich Wilhelm III acquired the house and the surrounding property, giving it to the crown prince and later King Friederich Wilhelm IV, who had it converted from manor to palace. Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the architect, who was also responsible for the interior design, and Peter Joseph Lenné, the creator of the neighboring park landscape, were united in a work that would become the highpoint of their creative activities, and one which may rightfully be called "a Prussian Arcadia."
In its simple language of forms, the palace was suffused with the spirit of antiquity and was influenced by Roman villas. The same can also be said of the modest, but graceful design of the interiors, whose furnishings were for the most part designed by Schinkel himself.

Opening Hours:

Summer
1. May - 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Guided Tour

Winter
1. November - 30. April
Monday - Sunday closed

Admission:
Regular: 6,00 €
Reduced: 5,00 €

Roman Baths

The building ensemble of the "Roman Baths," which was adapted into Lenné's landscaped park, is very near Charlottenhof Palace. Karl Friedrich Schinkel and Ludwig Persius had already delivered the first plans in 1826, while the architects were connected with the building of Charlottenhof Palace. Crown Prince Frederick William (IV) accompanied the design process with an abundance of his own drawings. Although the realization of the baths began in 1829, the ensemble took more than a decade to complete. A pergola connects the Court Gardener's House, built in the style of 15th century Italian country houses, to a pavilion in the shape of a Greek temple upon a podium. An open arcaded hall on the other side precedes a building that was modeled upon a Roman villa. Among its other attributes, it houses a bathing room, from which the entire complex takes its name. The asymmetrical concept contributed to the arrangement of small, open spaces, which were designed as gardens or resting areas.

Opening Hours:

Summer
1. May - 31. October
Monday closed
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing time

Winter
1. November - 30. April
closed

Admission:
Regular: 5,00 €
Reduced: 4,00 €


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