78 BACK ROADS GERMANY
Below top Outdoor exhibits in Filmpark
Babelsberg Below Schloss Cecilienhof in
the Neuer Garten, Park SanssouciWHERE TO STAYAROUND PARK SANSSOUCI
Hotel am Luisenplatz moderate
A harmonious and unique ambience
awaits guests at this very stylish hotel
located in the historic down town of
Potsdam. The rooms and suites of this
four-star hotel are elegantly appointed.
Luisenplatz 5, 14471 Potsdam (1 mile/2
km south of the park); 0331 97
19 00; http://www.hotel-luisenplatz.de
Steigenberger Hotel Sanssouci
moderate
The Steigenberger Hotel Sanssouci,
whose striking 1950s Anglo-American
design contrasts sharply with the
surroundings, is both pleasant and
very conveniently located for guests.
Allee nach Sanssouci 1, 14471 Potsdam
(1 mile/2 km south of the park);
0331 909 10; http://www.steigenberger.
com/PotsdamA two-hour
walking tour
Arrive early at Park
Sanssouci in order to
avoid the crowds. Georg
Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff
(1699–1753) built this lavish
complex between 1745 and- From the parking lot,
walk to the sur prisingly small Schloss
Sanssouci 1 (guided tours only), which
served the art-loving Frederick the
Great as a retreat from wars and daily
politics. Start the tour through the
park at this magnificent Rococo
palace, set atop beautiful terraced
lands with grapevines. To the east of
the palace stands the Bildergalerie
2 , home to the king’s collection of
17th-cen tury Italian and Dutch paint-
ings, including works by Caravaggio,
Rubens, and Van Dyck. To the west of
the palace is the massive Neue
Kammern 3 (Apr: open Sat & Sun; May–
Oct: closed Mon), the new chambers,
formerly used as a guest house by
the royal family.
Cross the Maulbeerallee and follow
signs to Orangerieschloss 4 (Apr:
open Sat & Sun; May–Oct: closed Mon),
which dates back to 1860 and now
houses the tourist information center
for the park. The Neues Palais 5
(Apr: open Wed; Nov–Mar: open
Wed–Mon), or New Palace,
is much larger and grander
than Schloss Sanssouci. It
is accessed by following
Hauptallee, the straight
avenue that runs through
Park Sanssouci. This palace
was built after the Seven
Years’ War (1756–63) as a sym bol of
the strength and stability of Frederick‘s
reign in the wake of the conflict. High-
lights of this palace include the Grotto
Hall where marble walls and columns
are decorated with marine motifs.
The upper gal lery has paint ings by
17th-cen tury masters and the theater
is still used to host performan ces of
classical music.
Take the path to the south of the
Neues Palais to Schloss Charlottenhof,
a palace that was built in 1826 during
the reign of Frederick William IV by
architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in
typical Neo-Classical style. From here,
walk to the neighboring Römische
Bäder (May–Oct: closed Mon), or Roman
Baths, and the Chinesisches Teehaus
6 (May–Oct: closed Mon). Designed in
an imitation Chinese style that was
fashionable in 1757, this Rococo tea
house was once used to host royal tea
parties. An exhibition of exquisite4 Park Sanssouci
Brandenburg; 14469
A vast collection of ornate gardens, water features, and follies,
Park Sanssouci is also home to fantastic Neo-Classical, Baroque,
and Rococo palaces and pavilions. The first building on the site
was the enchanting Schloss Sanssouci, built for the Prussian King
Frederick the Great in 1745. Over the next 150 years, the park was
transformed into one of the finest royal complexes in Europe.Fountain head at
the Neues Palais0 meters0 yards800800VISITING PARK SANSSOUCIParking
Ample parking space is available
at Neues Palais outside the entrance
to the park.
Tourist Information
An der Orangerie 1, 14469; 0331 969
42 00; closed MonSchloss CecilienhofMAULBEERA LLEEGESCHWISTER-SCHOLL-
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Schloss
Sanssouci
Neue Kammern
Chinesisches
Teehaus
Neues
Palais
Orangerieschloss
Bildergalerie
Italienische
Friedenskirche
Schloss
Charlottenhof
Römische
Bäder
Hauptallee
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150