European Adventure…Potsdam

Only a short train ride from Berlin is the beautiful city of Potsdam. We took a coach tour which included three guided walks. I was impressed by our guide Thomas, who conducted the tour in German and English. We learned much about the history of Potsdam, saw many castles and palaces and the darker side of East Berlin during the Cold War.

Frederick Wilhelm II reigned from 1740 to 1786, the longest reign of any Hohenzollern king. He was a great military leader and a man of the Enlightenment. He achieved many military victories and embarked on an ambitious building program. Many of the projects he ordered built, still stand today. I think though, the building closest to his heart was Sanssouci. The small palace he built at Potsdam for his personal use. Sanssouci means without cares and here he was able to be the philosopher and musician he always wanted to be. This is where he composed music and played his beloved flute. This instrument is still in Sanssouci today.

Sanssouci

Plan of Sanssouci

It is easy to see why he chose this idyllic place to build, surrounded by lakes, trees and wildlife. Interestingly, parts of Potsdam are built on swampland. Like Venice, it has timber foundations.

The New Palace was built to celebrate the end of the Seven Years war with construction commencing in 1763. It was built in just six years and there are obvious short cuts taken in the construction of the building. For example, although it looks like it is built in red brick it is actually sandstone painted red with white lines painted on to resemble brick work. Opposite the palace are a group of ornate buildings which are the servants quarters and kitchens etc. Frederick had a tunnel built between the two buildings so servants could deliver the hot food to the Palace. The only thing was, the servants had to whistle while transporting the food! It is considered to be the last Prussian Baroque palace to be built.

New Palace, Potsdam

New Palace, Potsdam servant’s quarters and kitchens

New Palace servant’s quarters and kitchens

As well as Frederic’s palaces we visited Cecilienhof, home of Crown Prince Wilhelm and where the 1945 Potsdam Conference was held. It was attended by the three most powerful men in the world at the time, Churchill, Truman and Stalin. At the Conference, Stalin had the Soviet Star planted below Churchill’s window. The star remains today and is a UNESCO site. This, and other remnants of the Cold War can still be seen such as parts of the Berlin Wall and the Glienicke Bridge where Soviet and US spies were exchanged. This is the bridge which featured in the 2015 Tom Hank’s movie, Bridge of Spies.

Cecilienhof, location of 1945 Potsdam Conference attended by Churchill, Truman and Stalin. Soviet Star planted below Churchill’s window by Stalin.

Glienicke Bridge, Potsdam where US and Soviet spies were exchanged. Central to Tom Hanks 2015 movie, Bridge of Spies

Cecilienhof was known for its 53 chimneys. A display of wealth and power to be able to heat such a large house!

Potsdam today is still home to the rich and famous. If I come back to Germany I will be sure to stay a few days in this beautiful city.