Potsdam, the city of palaces and parks
June 14, 2010
Potsdam is a German city known for its historical importance and its varied architecture. The city is very near the German capital, Berlin.
Historically, Potsdam was a city that promoted religious tolerance, and therefore attracted thousands of people who migrated from France, Russia, the Netherlands and Bohemia. Therefore, the city became one of the most cultured centers throughout Europe, and various influences from other countries decorated the city in several different architectural styles.
Sans Souci Palace, built in 1745 by King Frederick II, is one of the most famous and emblematic buildings of the city. The palace is built in rococo style and was home to several royal families. The site, of only one floor was built to rival the palaces of Versailles, and was the favorite of the royal family to relax. In the territory of the huge palace is the Sanssouci Park II, just two miles from downtown. In the park we can find a botanical park, the Botanischer Garten Potsdam. Next to the main palace are the Orangery, a smaller palace was used as residences for the Royal visitors. Between 1763 and 1769, it has built the majestic New Palace to celebrate the end of the Seven Years War. This palace is even larger than the Sans Souci Palace, and has more than 200 rooms. In the territory of the palace are also worth visiting the Charlottenhof Palace, built in neoclassical style in the nineteenth century. Visitors can also visit the Tea House of the eighteenth century and the famous nineteenth-century Roman Baths.
If you walk around town will be more than several thousands of gems such as sculptures, statues, buildings and monuments that fill the city. We recommend going to the historical center is located in the Alter Markt, the Old Market Square. There you can find the ancient remains of the City Palace, which was bombed during the Second World War and was later, demolished, but have already begun work to rebuild the Fortunaportal and the palace. The square is also one of the most important churches in the city, Nikolai, dating from the nineteenth century.
Next to the Old Market Square is the Altes Rathaus, the Old Town Hall, which was built in the mid eighteenth century. Its dome is Atlas with the world on his shoulders. This city also features the Brandenburg Gate, which resembles the majestic gate of Berlin.
The neighborhood Netherlands is also a place worth visiting, and highlighting their 150 typical houses built together, all red brick style Dutchman. A little north of the town is the Russian district, called Alexandrowka, with noteworthy architecture and a Russian Orthodox chapel. The district was declared a World Heritage Site. To the east lies the Neuer Garten, a large park that dates back to 1786 and is decorated in English style. The park is Cecilienhof Palace, where they met the leaders of the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom in 1945, and the Marble Palace, built in 1789.
Nearby is the Biosphäre of Potsdam, a tropical botanical garden. Babelberg In the region of the city is the Einstein Tower, an astrophysical observatory, which was designed by the famous architect Erich Mendelsohn.
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