Today's capital of the German state of Brandenburg, Potsdam has been shining splendidly ever since the great Electoral Prince Friedrich Wilhelm chose the town to be the capital of Brandenburg-Prussia. Potsdam served Hohenzollern royalty as a magnificent residence from the 17th to 20th century. Visitors are spoilt for choice by Potsdam’s countless sights. The Sanssouci (‘no worries’) park is an absolute must. Here, you can visit the palace of the same name - also called the ‘Prussian Versailles’ - as well as the New Palace with more than 200 rooms, Charlottenhof Palace, and the Orangery. Today, the expansive landscape of gardens and palaces is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful Cecilienhof Palace near the Jungfern lake is historically important. It became world-famous in 1945 when the German Reich was divided into four occupation zones during the Potsdam Conference.
Potsdam is also rich in museums. The Barberini Museum in the Old Market Square is one of the most well-known. It houses a collection of art that includes pearl examples of Impressionism, American Modernism, GDR art, as well as contemporary paintings. A trip to the Russian Alexandrowka colony is also worthwhile, with its Slavic wooden houses and Russian specialities. However, Potsdam’s most beautiful view can be enjoyed from the Belvedere Palace on the Pftingstberg - in good weather, you can see the lakes and forested hills of the surrounding area and as far as the city of Berlin.
There are few places steeped in more history than Potsdam. With its unique palaces and lake landscapes, the town, located southwest of Berlin, served as a residence for Prussian Electoral Princes and Kings for almost three centuries. Potsdam is best explored in a SHARE NOW BMW or MINI - so get in!
