Sanssouci Park – most beautiful park landscapes in Germany
Sanssouci Park , with its approximately 290 hectares of park area and its many palaces and buildings of different styles, is one of the most beautiful park landscapes in Germany and a real visitor magnet. It is one of the top sights in Potsdam. This is precisely why many visitors come to Potsdam – to visit Sanssouci. We would like to introduce you to the park and the sights and give you some information.
Tip: Explore Potsdam & Berlin with the Berlin WelcomeCard for 48h, 72h, 4, 5 or 6 days. Use public transport in zones AB or ABC, get discounts of up to 50% from over 200 partners (including many Potsdam institutions such as Sanssouci Palace) & use the pocket guide.
Table of contents
Creation of architecture and garden art in Sanssouci Park
The Sanssouci Palace Park (French: sans souci = without worry) is a creation of architecture and gardening and is considered the work of Frederick II, King of Prussia. It was he who had the park built and designed from 1744. The park did not develop overnight, but over 250 years. Different garden artists were involved in the construction, expansion and redesign of the park. These included Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, Heinrich Christian Eckstein, Peter Joseph Lenné and Gottlob Schulze. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990.
History of Sanssouci Park
Beginning in 1744, Frederick the Great had Sanssouci Palace and the surrounding grounds of the eastern park built. Frederick already knew many castles and parks, studied books and plans. It is remarkable that he made his own sketches for many buildings. He also liked to be inspired from other countries and adopted ideas and suggestions for park design.
Frederican pleasure garden
The centerpiece is, on the one hand, the Frederician pleasure garden, which is regular to the west of the obelisk. This was built between 1744-57. The vineyard terraces northwest of the Marlygarten also form the centerpiece. The Marlygarten was also the old kitchen garden of his late father Frederick Wilhelm I .. From the vineyard on which he had Sanssouci Palace built, Frederick was able to enjoy a wonderful view of Potsdam and the surrounding area. That is why he had a tomb created in the vineyard in which he wanted to be buried.
Sentimental-landscape deer garden
The sentimental landscape rehabilitation garden to the west was created between 1745 and 1763. Here he had the old pheasant and roe deer planted and sculptures erected. This leads to the New Palace and around the Belvedere on the Klausberg.
Extensions and modernizations
The first landscape modernizations took place in 1787 and 1822. In 1826 and 1827, the park was expanded with the Charlottenhof Park and in 1827/28 with the new facilities (hop garden). There were further changes to the park after 1840, when the Frederician parts of the garden were changed and the Marly Garden was redesigned in a landscape style (1845-1847). The historicist Sicilian and Nordic Gardens were created as part of the Triumphstrasse planning. The gardens around the orangery were also created between 1853-70. Between the years 1902 and 1908 the park was rounded off by the so-called Potente piece (inspired by the Nordic landscapes). The last changes took place in 1913 with the Maulbeerallee with the Jubilee Terrace.
Frederick the Great created a water reservoir on the nearby Höneberg to irrigate the park and the many fountains. Today the mountain is called the ruin mountain.
Numerous sights and castles
In addition to the park and Sanssouci Palace, there are countless other sights in the park. Examples include the New Palace, the Orangery, and the Chinese tea house in Sanssouci Park.
- Sanssouci Palace
- New Palace
- Orangery
- Chinese tea house
- Charlottenhof Palace
- Church of Peace
- Picture Gallery of Sanssouci
Sanssouci Palace
Sanssouci Palace is the highlight of every Potsdam trip. Let yourself be enchanted by the summer palace of Frederick II and the vineyard terraces.
New palace
Frederick’s last creation – the New Palace – the Fanfaronade, was built between 1763 and 1769 to mark the end of the Prussian Seven Years’ War. Builder for Frederick the Great included Büring, Manger and Gontard. The beautiful Rococo building stands in the west and forms the end of the park.
Orangery palace
The orangery palace was built by Persius on behalf of Frederick Wilhelm IV. From 1851 to 1860. The Italian Renaissance is reflected in the 300 meter long building.
Chinese tea house
Frederick the Great had the small Chinese pavilion built near his summer palace Sanssouci. Around the Chinese tea house are life-size, gilded sandstone figures of musicians and Chinese dining.
Charlottenhof Palace
The Charlottenhof Palace, modeled on Italian country villas, is a classicist summer palace. It belonged to Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm IV and his wife Elisabeth. It was originally built by Johann Gottfried Büring from 1756 to 1758. Later, from 1826 to 1826, it was transformed into a castle by Karl Frederick Schinkel and Ludwig Persius.
More Attractions
Friendship Temple in Sanssouci Park
The Friendship Temple is a small round temple in the western part of the park in Potsdam, near the New Palace. It was built by the Prussian King Frederick II in memory of his favorite sister, Margravine Wilhelmine von Bayreuth, who died in 1758. Between 1768 and 1770, Carl von Gontard created the pavilion near the New Palace, south of the main avenue, as a counterpart to the Temple of Antiquity, which was located in an axis north of the avenue.
Antiquity Temple in Sanssouci Park
The Antikentempel is a small round temple in the western part of Sanssouci Park in Potsdam. Frederick the Great had the building built to keep his collection of ancient art objects, coins and gems. In 1768/69, Carl von Gontard created the building near the New Palace, north of the main avenue. It can be seen as a counterpart to the friendship temple built in an axis south of the avenue. From 1921 the antique temple was used as a mausoleum for members of the Hohenzollern family. For this reason it is no longer accessible to the public.
Potsdam Castle Night in Sanssouci Park
Once a year the Potsdam Castle Night (“Potsdamer Schlössernacht”) gives the park a special atmosphere. Impressive lighting of the numerous palaces and buildings in the park allows you to explore the park from different angles. If you would like to take part, you can find information on the Potsdam Castle Night and the purchase of Castle Night Tickets in the linked article.
Address of the Park Sanssouci
Zur Historischen Mühle 1, 14469 Potsdam
You can find information on opening times, admission prices and contact options here.
Guided tours and tickets
| About this activity | Book now / informations |
|---|---|
| Tickets | |
| Combined ticket sanssouci + The combined ticket sanssouci + entitles you to a single visit to all * open palaces of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg in Potsdam, including Sanssouci Palace, on one day. | Single tickets are available on site and from the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg. |
| Guide Tours | |
| Sightseeing Tours & Boat Cruises | |
| Events | |
| City Cards | |
| Tip: With GetYourGuide you can cancel booked activities up to 24 hours before the start and receive a full refund. | |
| Note: Avoid purchasing tickets on the black market. Our ticket partners are exclusively verified vendors. | |
You can find official information on the website of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Berlin-Brandenburg Foundation.