Back Roads Germany (Dk Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

DRIVE 6: Prussian Splendor 77

Above Impressive entrance to the Schloss

Charlottenburg, Berlin

1 Schloss Charlottenburg
Berlin; 14059
The castle at Charlottenburg (closed
Mon) was designed as a summer
home for Sophie Charlotte, Elector
Friedrich III’s wife. Construc tion of the
Altes Schloss, the old cas tle, designed
by the German architect Johann
Arnold Nering (1659–95), began in
1695 and the Neuer Flügel (closed Tue),
or new wing, was added in the 18th

century. The inte rior of the build ing
was fully restored after World War II.
The Nering-Eosander-Bau (closed
Mon), the palace in the Altes Schloss,
contains the suites of Friedrich III and
his wife. Its highlights include the Oak
Gallery and the early 18th-century
palace chapel. The Neuer Flügel is
famous for its Goldene Galerie, a huge
golden ballroom, as well as for its
collection of paintings by Watteau,
Chardin, and Pense (guided tours only).
The park behind the
castle was originally
French Baroque, but

was recon struc ted after
World War II. Dotted with
inter esting buildings, it
is open to visitors all
through the year and
is a scenic refuge for city
dwellers, joggers, and
families.
ª Take the A115 toward Potsdam
and turn on to Spanische Allee, which
becomes Wannseebadweg, follow ing
signs to Strandbad Wannsee.

WHERE TO STAY

AROUND SCHLOSS

CHARLOTTENBURG

Pension Dittberner moderate

The Pension Dittberner provides

guests with sophisticated comfort.

The sculptures, paintings, and posters

in the rooms create a welcoming

atmosphere for art lovers.

Wielandstrasse 26, 10707 Berlin (2 miles/

3 km southeast of the castle); 030 881

64 85; http://www.hotel-dittberner.de

Schlosshotel im Grunewald expensive

This beautiful and serene luxury hotel

has a gourmet restaurant, bar, and spa

and is set in a former country estate.

Brahmsstrasse 10, 14193 Berlin (4 miles/

6 km southwest of the castle); 030 89

58 40; http://www.schlosshotelberlin.com

EAT AND DRINK

AROUND SCHLOSS

CHARLOTTENBURG

Kleine Orangerie moderate

This inviting café, set right next to the

Schloss, serves tea, coffee, and cake,

but is most popular for its beer garden

and tempting Sunday breakfast buffet.

Spandauer Damm 20, 14059 Berlin

(west of the castle); 030 322 20 21; http://www.

kleineorangerie.de; closed Mon in winter

KLEIN GLIENICKE

Das Landhaus Wannsee inexpensive

This is a café, restaurant, and bar near

the beautiful Lake Wannsee. The cuisine

combines traditional and regional styles,

with focus on seasonal produce.

Königstrasse 59, 14109 Berlin; 030 805

23 59; http://www.landhaus-wannsee.de

Goldener Greif moderate

The restaurant in Schloss Glienicke

serves modern versions of tradi tional

gourmet dishes.

Königstrasse 36, 14109 Berlin; 030 805

40 00; http://www.bloomsbridge-berlin.de;

closed Mon & Tue

3 Klein Glienicke

Berlin; 14129

For centuries, the Hohenzollern

Dynasty, who first ruled as Prussian

electors and kings and later as

emperors, trans for med the sandy

glades, pine forests, and lakes south-

west of Berlin into picture-perfect

Kulturlandschaft – man-

made landscapes of parks

and pal aces. Among

the most brilliant of

these is Klein

Glienicke, built for Prince

Karl of Prussia in the

early 19th century. The

vast park com prises the

Schloss Glienicke (Apr–

Oct: closed Mon; Nov–Mar: open Sat & Sun),

the Jagdschloss Glienicke, or Glienicke

Hunting Lodge, and a number of

smaller buildings. The palace and

park were declared a UNESCO World

Heritage Site in 1990.

The simple Neo-Classical façade of

the charming Schloss Glienicke has

a solemn dignity about it that was

once admired by Goethe (see p108).

Inside, the atmosphere is rich, with

many lovely paintings, colorful

walls, and rooms that are elegantly

appointed with the architect Schinkel’s

furnish ings and lit by bright, golden

chandeliers. The proportions are

perfect, giving the entire ensemble

a particularly harmonious look.

The adjoining park has a mock

monastery, or Klosterhof, a coach

house, and the Grosse Neugierde,

a Neo-Classical pavilion that offers

splendid views of the Havel river.

ª Return to the B1 and then

continue on it toward Potsdam.

Once in the city, follow the signs

toward Park Sanssouci.

2 Strandbad Wannsee
Berlin; 14129
The public lido Strandbad Wannsee
(17 Apr–25 Sept: open daily), was
construc ted at the beginning of the
20th century and is big enough to
accom modate 40,000 people on its
artificial sandy beach. Its buildings,
including the changing rooms,
eateries, and bathrooms, were built
in the straightfoward, functional
Neue Sachlichkeit, or New Objectivity
style, spearheaded by the architect
Martin Wagner. Alterna tively, stroll
down Wannseebadweg to explore

the nearby Schwanenwerder Island,
which is home to some stunning villas.
ª Return to the A115 toward
Potsdam and take the exit to Wannsee.
Follow the B1 and continue westward
to reach Klein Glienicke.

Golden griffin sculpture,

Klein Glienicke

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40