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
Summer Season | May to October
| Monday | closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday - Sunday: | 10:00 - 17:30 |
Winter Season | November to April
| Monday - Sunday: | closed |
|---|
Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
On public holidays, weekend opening hours apply unless otherwise stated.
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.
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.
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
Further information (in German)
Price : 0.00
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
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")
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
