Sanssouci Palace is the small yellow summer residence of Frederick the Great in Potsdam, a short train ride from Berlin. Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff built it between 1745 and 1747 in the Rococo style, above a hillside of vineyard terraces. The palace has a single storey and an intimate scale, far smaller than Versailles, which it is often compared with. The interior is visited on a timed entry. The surrounding park is free to walk and holds more palaces, a picture gallery and a number of garden buildings.
A retreat built for Frederick the Great
Frederick the Great began planning Sanssouci soon after he took the throne in 1740. He wanted a private residence away from the ceremony of the royal court. Knobelsdorff designed and built it between 1745 and 1747, working from the king's own sketches.
The name is French for "without a care". It is carved on the building, and it describes the king's wish to live quietly here rather than be entertained all the time. He spent many summers at Sanssouci and often retreated here with his dogs.
Most of the building has a single storey, apart from the side wings. The last royal resident was the widow of Frederick William IV. The palace became a museum and opened to the public in 1927.
Terraces, vineyards and the central fountain
The palace sits at the top of a hillside planted with fruit trees and grape vines on walled terraces, with colourful flower beds between them. A wide set of stairs leads up from the central fountain.
The climb is part of the design. At the foot of each flight the palace drops out of sight, and it comes back into view as you reach the top. The fountain itself only worked from the middle of the 19th century, when a steam pumping station was built in the shape of a mosque.
From the terrace in front of the palace you look back over the formal gardens and across to Potsdam.
Inside the palace and around the park
Inside, the rooms are small and richly decorated in the Rococo style. The palace is entered on a guided, timed visit. The picture gallery in the park is worth adding. It holds several works by Rubens, Bruegel the Elder and the Younger, and Caravaggio.
The park covers about 300 hectares and has more than ten historic buildings. At the far western end stands the New Palace, built about twenty years after Sanssouci in the Baroque style, with over 200 rooms. Its guided tours run every 30 minutes. Other buildings to look for are the Orangery Palace, Charlottenhof Palace, the 19th-century Roman Baths and the Chinese House with its gilded figures that play music.
Sanssouci is part of the Potsdam palaces and parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest in Germany. The Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation looks after it.
Planning the day
From Berlin, Potsdam is under half an hour away by commuter train. From the Nauener Tor in the old town, the walk to the palace takes a little over 20 minutes. There is a paid parking lot, and the entrance and restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Walking the park is free, and a ticket is only needed for the palace and other buildings you enter. The full 10-kilometre route through the park takes about three hours. Seeing the buildings from outside can fill five or six hours. Visiting several palaces inside takes more time again.
If you want a quieter day, the New Garden with Cecilienhof Palace and the parks around Babelsberg and Glienicke are other royal parks in Potsdam. The palace is closed on Mondays.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for Sanssouci Palace?
The park is free to walk. You pay only for the palace interior and the other buildings you enter.
How long do you need at Sanssouci?
Plan at least half a day. A full day is better if you want the park and several buildings. The park's 10-kilometre route alone takes about three hours.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance booking of an entry time is recommended, because interior visits are timed. On the day, go early to the visitor centre at the historic windmill. You then have a better chance of a slot within the next hour.
How do I get to Sanssouci Palace from Berlin?
Take a commuter train to Potsdam, which takes under half an hour. From the Nauener Tor the palace is a walk of a little over 20 minutes. There is also a paid parking lot.
Is Sanssouci Palace big?
No. It is a small, mostly single-storey Rococo palace. The New Palace at the western end of the park is much larger, with over 200 rooms.
