Russia
2006 Journey Day Twelve
Potsdam
, Germany
[
25 July, 2006
] Located southwest of Berlin in the town of Potsdam is the summer palace
called Schloss Sanssouci. Frederick the Great had the assortment of palaces built during the mid 1700s.
The term Sanssouci is French and means "without care". Seems that King Friedrich II needed his "artistic
side" to come out without his Kingship duties.
The terraces below the palace include grape vines and fig trees (behind closed glass doors during
the winter). The area is now called Sanssouci Park and includes extensive landscaping and concerts
in the church.
Frederick the Great commissioned another palace - the Neue Palais which contained 200 rooms and
428 rather large statues. More of a novelty building, the Chinese House included several golden columns
and figures. Since Roman ruins landscape painting was popular during the mid 1700s, the King made
sure the palace grounds had it's own faux Roman wall and column ruins.
The following King, Friedrich Wilhelm IV, built his assortment of palaces, including the largest entitled
the Orangerie and was based on his Italian travels. The building is currently in dire condition and
some restoration has started. King Wilhelm had his novelty building, too - a Roman Bath with an
interior pool.
It is easy to see that Potsdam was part of the East Germany communistic realm - large box shaped
housing are part of the perimeter city. Several mansion type homes across from the park are abandoned
and would be a premium estate home in other cities. When looking at the "before" pictures of various
minor palaces in the park, the neglect was significant. Most of the fence gates look like they have not
been opened since the early 1950s. However, the city has a new train station and scaffolding is
abundant around the Nikolai church.
Sanssouci Palace Scenes
Sanssouci Palace Scenes
Sanssouci Palace Scenes
Sanssouci Palace Scenes
Sanssouci Palace Scenes Church Bell Tower Park Scenes
Sanssouci Park bridge Windmill Chinese House
Chinese House Scenes
Chinese House Scenes
Orangerie Palace Scenes
Orangerie Palace Scenes
Belvedere Palace Hill of Roman Ruins
Neue Palace Fountain Swan
Lobby Return
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Last Updated on
July 26,
2006, CE