About this experience
From the capital Berlin, we will head to the country residence of the Hohenzollerns, a small, light, and unhurried city of parks and gardens. Potsdam will unfold before you like a book with illustrations on the history of Prussia, and my stories will help you not to confuse the numerous Friedrichs and Wilhelms. You will stroll through the parks of Charlottenhof, Sanssouci, and the New Garden, peek into the Sanssouci and Cecilienhof palaces (if you wish), and walk through the two-story historical center.
What to expect
Past and present of Potsdam
From the first mentions of the city, medieval times, pages of Prussian history, and of course, the trials of the 20th century - you will trace the path of Potsdam. In the historical center, you will learn about the tragic destruction of the city by the English aviation and admire the beautifully restored Potsdam. The 18th-century streets will charm you with neat rows of houses with mansards and numerous cafes (we will not miss the insider cafe with the best cheesecakes in the region either). You will see that Potsdam is like a puzzle: German quarters, Dutch architecture, and the Russian village of Alexandrovka, the houses and the Orthodox church of which were built according to the projects of outstanding Russian architects.
Potsdam Palaces: authentic and intimate
In the 18th century, Potsdam became the residence of the Prussian kings for almost two hundred years, and their palaces have survived to this day. Although the idea of a palace is relative: please do not compare the Potsdam palaces with the brilliant Petersburg Baroque, here there were never large sums of money or a desire to show off. But the intimate Potsdam buildings perfectly reflect the characters of their patrons and their architects, who were far from being the least in European architecture. We will not arrive in Potsdam at the central station from Berlin, so the impression of the city will not be marred by GDR panel buildings. We will start our acquaintance with the Potsdam palaces from Charlottenhof, the Roman Baths, and the Chinese Tea House. Of course, Sanssouci Palace will be on the agenda - a real "mausoleum" of Frederick the Great, a personality of extraordinary and ambiguous nature. And also the Friedenskirche in early Italian style, the Belvedere on the Pfingstberg hill, and the last Hohenzollern building - the Cecilienhof Palace, where the Potsdam Conference of 1945 took place.
Organizational details
- The tour starts in Berlin. We will take a train together to Potsdam
- Additional expenses: train tickets and entrance tickets to the palaces - optional (Sanssouci - €12 + guide's ticket; Cecilienhof - €8 + guide's ticket)
