Sanssouci Palace: Prussia's Answer to Versailles

Sanssouci Palace

Set in the city of Potsdam near Berlin, Sanssouci Palace is a masterpiece of Rococo architecture and the former summer residence of Frederick the Great.

History

Built between 1745 and 1747, the palace's name comes from the French phrase "sans souci," meaning "without worries." Frederick the Great designed the palace himself as a place of retreat, and it later became part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing the palaces and parks of Potsdam and Berlin.

What to See

• The terraced vineyard gardens leading up to the palace
• The Picture Gallery, one of the oldest purpose-built museum buildings in Germany
• The New Palace and Chinese House within the surrounding park

Visiting Tips

The park is vast, so comfortable shoes and a half-day are recommended to see the main buildings. Sanssouci is easily reached by regional train from Berlin as a day trip.