Sanssouci Park was originally nothing more than a terraced garden which Frederick the Great had planted in 1744 to cultivate plums, figs and vines on a hill just outside the gates of Potsdam. Because the view was so beautiful, the King had a summer residence built above the terraces just one year later. In the following years, more palace buildings were blended into the gentle hill landscape, while the slopes were used for ornamental and vegetable gardens. On a hill to the north of the palace, artificial ruins were grouped to form a mock-antique staffage which simultaneously camouflaged the water tank designed to feed the fountains in the park. The King was only able to enjoy his fountains once, however; they did not become fully operational until the steam engine-house was built in the 19th century.

The baroque garden was no longer in fashion during the reigns of Frederick the Great's successors; it was redesigned in the style of a landscaped park and extended by Frederick William IV, who added elements that reflected his longing for Italy.

Charlottenhof Palace - A Prussian Arcadia
Frederick William's (IV) private life

Friderizianischer Garten einschließlich Hopfenkrug
Weinbergterrassen, barockes Parterre und Landschaftsgarten

Normannischer Turm
Ein einzigartiger Ausblick

Picture Gallery
Frederick the Great's collection of paintings

Sanssouci Palace
A 12 room Palace

Schlosspark Charlottenhof


The Belvedere on the Klausberg


The Chinese House in Sanssouci Park
Chinese fashion in the 18th century

The Church of Peace in Sanssouci Park


The Historical Windmill in Sanssouci Park


The Marly Garden and the Garden of Peace


The New Chambers at Sanssouci Park


The New Palace in Sanssouci Park


The Orangery in Sanssouci Park


The Roman Baths


The Ruinenberg, the Nordic Garden and Sicilian Garden, and the Potentestück


The Steam Engine Building