Walk in the footsteps of a revered king and military leader at Sanssouci Palace. Admire the palace’s lavish architecture, opulent interiors and art collection. Stroll around vineyards and orderly gardens, scattered with further architectural treasures. Fredrick the Great commissioned Sanssouci Palace in the 1740s as a summer retreat and a place to escape his official duties. Today it is the dominating feature of Sanssouci Park.
The palace is an elegant one-level building adorned with a central cupola and framed on either side by pavilions. It is often considered as a German counterpart to France’s Palace of Versailles. Decorating the south façade are arched windows, interspersed with atlas and caryatid sculptures, and an artistic balustrade. Note the name of the palace written in gilded letters below the cupola. The north façade is almost entirely enclosed by an 88-column colonnade.
Venture inside to get a glimpse of the regal chambers. Spot work by French artists, including Antoine Watteau and Jean-Baptiste Pater. Look for a bust of French author Voltaire, which honors his visits to the palace.
Back outside, gaze down the terraced vineyards that slope down from the palace’s south façade. Prior to building the palace, Frederick the Great planned to cultivate fruits such as grapes and figs. On the uppermost terrace is the tomb of the king.
Situated in Sanssouci Park, Sanssouci Palace is a 15-minute bus ride or a 30-minute walk from Potsdam’s old town. Parking is available on the north side of the park. While here, be sure to visit the park’s other attractions. Browse paintings by Dutch, Flemish and Italian masters at the Bildergalerie and copies of Raphael masterpieces at the Orangery Palace.
Sanssouci Palace is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance is limited and bound to schedule times. The admission fee includes either a guide tour or a self-guided audio tour. Some parts of the palace are accessible only during a guided tour. Arrive before midday in peak season to avoid long queues. Book in advance via the official website of Stiftung Preussische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg.
