Longing to get away from all the rigors of royal duties in Berlin, Frederick the Great had a beautiful Rococo palace built in Potsdam between 1745 – 1747. Sanssouci Palace became the kings summer residence and has been likened to Versailles outside of Paris.
The Palace has 10 main rooms on one floor which are open to the public. The rooms are very beautiful and contain many memorabilia to Frederick including furniture and art.
The walls themselves are pieces of art!
Amazingly, and luckily, the GDR maintained the Palace and grounds during their occupation. Once reunification happened many of the statues, books and art were returned to Sanssouci. Also at this time, Frederick’s wish to have his body interred on the grounds was granted.
The tomb of the “potato king” sits over looking the beautiful gardens. It is said Frederick the Great introduced potatoes to Germany. In fact, it seems he enjoyed them so much he served them at state dinners and handed them out when visiting other towns. True or not, people still adorn his tomb with potatoes!
At the back of the palace there is a beautiful terraced hill leading down to a fountain and further into the park. The park is very colorful and beautiful as well as full of amazing views back up to the palace!
Sanssouci means “without concerns” and seems to be a very fitting name for this lovely palace. Even with the all the tourists, the palace and park feel peaceful and relaxing.
Both the palace and the park have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990.
As I’ve stated before, I love visiting castles and palaces and prior to leaving for Germany was very excited to visit Sanssouci. But it was the park that grabbed me. On my next visit, I will spend more time wandering the different gardens, statues and palaces that are inside the boundary of this wonderful park.
These pictures are part of Travel Photo Thursday!
For more great pictures,make sure to check out Budget Travelers Sandbox.
Maybe I’ll see you there!
Many thanks to Historic Highlights of Germany for organizing this trip and to the wonderful people at the PotsdamTourist Office! For more information please contact either organization or visit their websites. Even though my trip was paid for by these organizations, all opinions are my own.
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Love all the gilt, mirrors and chandeliers – this was one place we didn’t have time to see when I was in Berlin – next time perhaps
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I highly recommend Potsdam! It is a lovely town full of great sights to explore.
What a gorgeous castle and grounds. I love that vaulted ceiling. Maybe I’ll think of one of those for my next apartment
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I love castles too and this one is so beautiful! I always enjoy seeing the opulence inside and how great you got to take pictures inside. Those walls are something else. I can spend hours on those gardens. It’s too bad we’re not visiting this part of Germany
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They sold a pass to take pictures which was only a few euros. They said it was good for all palaces but they wouldn’t let me take pictures inside the New Palace
Germany is great no matter which part you are in!
Gee thanks Debbie. Now my wife wants me to do our walls like the ones in the palace. I’d really be mad but it does look kind of cool.
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Sorry about that! At least I didn’t recommend the Sound of Music tour
Are those flowers on the ceiling and walls real? They look 3 dimensional.
There’s so much detail here, I wonder how long it took to complete and how many people worked on it.
I can’t believe how much detail there is on the walls and ceilings! Details were everywhere.
The extravagance is just amazing. Sanssouci Palace is just stunning. Maybe I’ll get a chance to head over there when I’m in Berlin next month. Thanks for the tour.
I think you’d like Potsdam! Hopefully you’ll find some time to grab a train and spend a day or so in Potsdam.
That room with the lemon walls and flowers had me dreaming, Debbie. Wonderful!
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The flower room seems to be everyone’s favorite! It was very beautiful.
What a stunning palace. It certainly reminds me of Versailles too with all the gilt work on the walls and ceiling. I do love the flower room- that chandelier is heaven! I’m looking forward to seeing the garden photos.
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I loved the chandeliers in the palace!
Sanssouci is beautiful indeed! By the way, Debbie, have you visited the Royal Pavilion in Brighton?
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No I haven’t visit the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. There is still a lot of Britain I need to visit
WOW what a wonderful palace, I was in Berlin a few weeks ago but missed this place
Oh that is too bad because Potsdam is a wonderful place to visit! Next time
Great photos
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The phrase, “A palace fit for a king” comes to mind here. What an amazingly lavish place, I can only imagine what life must have been like for the Royals.
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I often wonder what they did all day! The royals didn’t cook, do laundry or clean the house or any of the normal day-to-day things we do.
The flower room is stunning. It is amazing to think of such opulence.
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It was very beautiful and ornate.
This palace with its long staircase leading up to the palace and the elaborate fountains, etc., reminds me very much of Peterhof in St. Petersburg. All the Kings tried to one-up each other, and each wanted to out do Versailles!
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They really did try to one up each other! Those egos must have been difficult to live with
Ww…this certainly reminds me of Versailles! Exquisite interiors with all the ornamentation fit for a king!! Wonderful post and photos too!!
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It is very similar to Versailles, isn’t it? I am always amazed by all the ornamentation in castles and palaces.