Prussian Palaces. Colonial Histories Biographies and Collections
The former palaces and gardens of the Hohenzollern dynasty make Germany’s colonial past visible and tangible today. Attesting to this history are an 18th century portrait of a young Black boy, possibly Fredrick Ludwig (1708 – Date of death unknown), whose father was brought to the Berlin royal court through the slave trade. Another example are the glass beads produced on Peacock Island that were used to purchase slaves and colonial trading goods. With a special exhibition at Charlottenburg Palace, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG) is facing the colonial histories of its collections.
Colonial practises and structures can be traced throughout earlier centuries, before German colonialism of the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as afterwards. In this light, the special exhibition is looking to explore the connection between Germany’s longer colonial history and how they persist today. Based on the scant information that has been preserved over time, the special exhibition attempts to reconstruct the biographies of people after they were forcibly brought to Berlin and Potsdam. These biographies highlight both the ways they were able to socially assimilate and how they resisted the conditions of their lives at court. In addition, the exhibition examines non-European works in the collections that have long been interpreted within strictly European frameworks. As a result, these works were culturally re-appropriated and alienated from their original uses.
The exhibition themes were developed together with various experts in a joint process over the course of five workshops. This special exhibition is part of the annual theme for 2023 called “Elector – Emperor – Colonies.” Thus, the SPSG is taking an important step in its ongoing work on this theme that will continue beyond the coming year.
This exhibition is supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media under a resolution passed by the German Parliament.
WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING GROUP TOUR:
- Special exhibition Charlottenburg Palace New Wing ( exhibition area ) inclusive Charlottenburg Palace Old Palace Multimedia-Guide-Tour (German/English)
Availability and costs
Availability: 4. July - 31. October 2023, Tuesday - Sunday, closed on Monday
Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5:30pm
Address
Charlottenburg Palace – Old Palace [Altes Schloss]
Spandauer Damm 10-22
14059 Berlin
How to get there
Public Transportation
Stop "Schloss Charlottenburg (Berlin)"
vbb-online | Timetable information »
Parking
Paid parking spaces for cars and buses.
Guided Tours and prices
Group offer: Special Exhibition Prussian Palaces. Colonial Histories
Multimedia-Guide-Tour (German/English)
Flat rate for groups/adults: 200 €
Flat rate for school groups/students: 140 €
Availability: 4 July- 31 October 2023
Duration: 120 min
Group size: maximum 25
Contact & booking
contact form for booking requests
gruppenservice@spsg.de
Phone: 0331.96 94-222
Fax: 0331.96 94-107
Overview group flat rates
Booking Policies
We offer a flat rate for groups limited to a maximum number of participants. The group rate always includes fees for group admission to the individual palaces, as well as a personal tour guide or audio guides.
If the number of participants exceeds the maximum size allowed, the group will be divided. Each group is allotted an admission time. The group flat rate is calculated per tour group. At some palaces, we offer a surplus fee up to a specific number of participants for the second guided tour. The surplus fee flat rate cannot be booked as an individual service.
There is no minimum number of participants required for a group tour.
Guided tours can be booked in a variety of languages. The bookings of a respective language are carried out subject to availability of tour guides and cannot be guaranteed.
We offer a 10 % discount from the group price for the groups accompanied by a guide licensed by the SPSG. The discount does not apply to group bookings / group tours with audio guide.
Special arrangements for groups outside the scheduled opening hours are possible on request. In addition to the group fee for a guided tour, extra charges apply for a special opening.
All information provided is subject to availability of offers and changes. Prices for groups are only valid in connection with the Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg's (SPSG's) General Terms and Conditions for groups.
All prices quoted are exempt from VAT/sales tax according to German law (§ 4 Nr. 20a UstG).
Important note for school and youth groups:
The reduced flat rate for groups/school classes is valid for school groups (aged 27 or younger), including vocational schools and universities. When booking a reservation, the purchaser is obliged to indicate in writing that the group in question is a school or youth group. Furthermore, the purchaser must state in writing that the age restriction is adhered to, as noted above. School and youth groups, including the teacher and other accompanying persons, must also abide by the maximum number of participants allowed on each tour. If the group number exceeds the limit, the class will be divided into two groups.
General Terms and Conditions for Group Tourism
The General Terms and Conditions for Group Tourism of the Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg apply.
