Chinese House in Sanssouci Park
China, A Guest at Sanssouci
During his stays at Sanssouci, Frederick the Great appreciated the intimate atmosphere of the Chinese House, which for him represented an escape to a fantasy world.
The playful Rococo pavilion is likely the most famous surviving example of the Chinoiserie fashion that influenced court culture throughout Europe in the 18th century. In doing so, it shows less of China as it was back then than it does of European's ideas about it.
The pavilion's exterior is distinguished by life-sized gilded figures placed around the building individually or in groups. Chinese musicians and tea drinkers, dressed in fairytale-like apparel, are represented. Columns in the shape of gilded palm trees are meant to convey the impression that we are not in Europe. Peter Benckert and Johann Gottlieb Heymüller created these theatrical and decorative figures "à la chinoise."
The walls of the interior are adorned with gilded consoles on which 18th-century porcelain objects are displayed. The large ceiling painting presents an exuberant “Chinese” social gathering depicted in an illusionistic architectural setting.
Address
Chinesisches Haus
Am Grünen Gitter
D - 14469 Potsdam
How to get there
Public Transportation
Stop "Potsdam, Charlottenhof Bhf/Geschw.-Scholl-Str." + about 1300m walk
Opening Hours
November to April
Monday - Sunday: | closed |
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May to October
Monday | closed |
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Tuesday - Sunday: | 10:00 - 17:30 |
Works meeting (16.10.2024) | closed |
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Admission Prices
Single Ticket
Price : 4.00 reduced : 3.00
sanssouci+ Ticket
Valid for a single visit to all the SPSG palaces in Potsdam open to the public on one day (not valid for Sacrow House and Stern Hunting Lodge; not valid for special exhibitions; in the Belvedere Pfingstberg, ticket owners are granted the reduced rate).
Sold at all palace registers, in the visitor centres and online. A fixed admission time slot at Sanssouci Palace is included with purchase, and a guided tour time must be booked for the New Palace. Guided tours for the New Palace can only be booked on a daily basis at the visitor centres.
Price : 22.00 reduced : 17.00
sanssouci+ Family Ticket
Valid for up to 2 adults and up to 4 children.
Valid for a single visit to all the SPSG palaces in Potsdam open to the public on one day (not valid for Sacrow House and Stern Hunting Lodge, not valid for special exhibitions), in the Belvedere Pfingstberg ticket owners are granted the reduced rate.
Sold at all palace registers, in the visitor centres and online. A fixed admission time slot at Sanssouci Palace is included with purchase, and a guided tour time must be booked for the New Palace. Guided tours for the New Palace can only be booked on a daily basis at the visitor centres.
Price : 49.00
Potsdam Family Tickets
Valid for a single visit to all the SPSG palaces in Potsdam open to the public on one day, except Sanssouci Palace (not valid for the Belvedere on Potsdam’s Pfingstberg, Sacrow House and Stern Hunting Lodge).
Valid for up to 2 adults and up to 4 children (aged 18 or younger). On sale at all palace registers and at the visitor centers.
Price : 25.00
Free admission
for annual ticket holders
Price : 0.00
Contact
Visitor Centre Historic Windmill in Sanssouci Park
An der Orangerie 1
14469 Potsdam
Closed Mondays
Visitor Centre New Palace in Sanssouci Park
Am Neuen Palais 3
14469 Potsdam
Closed Tuedays
info@spsg.de
Phone: +49 (0) 331.96 94-200
Accessibility
- not wheelchair accessible
Unfortunately, exhibition spaces are not wheelchair accessible.
Unfortunately, for conservation reasons the use of baby carriages and strollers is not permitted in exhibition spaces.
Luggage storage
Please note: No luggage or baggage may be left in the entrance area of the palace for security and safety reasons.
Unfortunately, there are no facilities for storing larger pieces of luggage or similar baggage on the premises of this historical site. We appreciate your understanding.
Dining
In the surroundings you will find the following dining options:
Café Caroline
at the Visitor Centre at the New Palace (South Gate Building / "Südtorgebäude")
Theaterklause
near the entrance "Grünes Gitter"
Augustiner im Bürgerbahnhof
next to the station "Park Sanssouci"
Café Repin
near Picture Gallery and Sanssouci Palace
Drachenhaus Restaurant & Cafe im Park Sanssouci
between "Paradiesgarten" and Belvedere Klausberg
Lottenhof / Bill's Kitchen
near Charlottenhof Villa
Mövenpick Zur Historischen Mühle
near Sanssouci Palace
Impressions
360 degree panorama
Chinese House
© Reinhardt & Sommer