Picture Gallery of Sanssouci

Magnificently Framed

The Picture Gallery of Sanssouci, a structure built specifically to house an art collection, is one of the most majestic 18th century buildings in Europe. It is also the oldest surviving gallery building in Germany. Frederick the Great had it built next to the palaces Sanssouci and the New Chambers from 1755–63 (or 1764) to house his newly assembled painting collection. Here, he presented in closely hung arrangements nearly 180 of the best works of the Flemish and Dutch Baroque schools of painting, the Italian Renaissance, and the Baroque period, juxtaposed with outstanding ancient sculpture as well as French 18th century sculpture.

The complex sculptural program on the simple exterior, depicting allegories on artistic training and practice, sets the tone for the purpose of the building. The opulent design of the interior is all the more surprising with its gilded ornamentation and sumptuous floors made of yellow and white marble, a colorful stone intarsia floor, paintings, carved and gilded frames, ancient and Baroque sculpture, and stuccowork allegories of the arts and sciences high above the heads of visitors forming a unique compendium of the arts. Even today, over 140 outstanding paintings from the 16th – 18th centuries can still be seen in the gallery, including Caravaggio’s Doubting Thomas, five works by Anthony van Dyck, seven works by Peter Paul Rubens, including his St. Jerome, as well as paintings by Jan Lievens, Jacob Jordaens, Thomas Willeboirts Bosschaert, Gerard de Lairesse, Carlo Maratta, Ciro Ferri, and others. The paintings are complemented by French statues from the original 18th century interior design as well as ancient busts.

Address

Picture Gallery of Sanssouci
Im Park Sanssouci 4
14469 Potsdam

How to get there

Public Transportation

Stop "Potsdam, Schloss Sanssouci", "Potsdam, Orangerie/Botanischer Garten"

vbb-online | Timetable information »

Parking

Paid parking spaces for cars and buses in the car park P1 – At the Historic Windmill.

Opening Hours

November to April
Valid: 01.11.2023 - 30.04.2024
Monday  - Sunday: closed
May to October
Valid: 01.05.2024 - 31.10.2024
Monday closed
Tuesday  - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:30
Works meeting (16.10.2024) closed

Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

On public holidays, weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.

Overview of opening hours and holidays »

Admission Prices

Single Ticket

Price : 6.00 reduced : 5.00

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.

Further information

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.

Further information

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

Information on free admission and concessions

Equipment

  • Audio Guide German
  • Audio Guide English
  • Audio Guide French
  • Audio Guide Italian
  • Audio Guide Spanish
  • Audio Guide German for children (age 11-14)
  • Audio Guide English for children (age 11-13)

Contact

SPSG | Visitor Information
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
SPSG | Gruppenservice
contact form for booking requests
gruppenservice@spsg.de
Phone: 0331.96 94-222
Fax: 0331.96 94-107

Accessibility

  • not wheelchair accessible

Unfortunately, the exhibition rooms are not accessible for wheelchair users.

For conservation reasons, it is unfortunately not possible to use prams / baby strollers in the exhibition rooms.

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

Video