Get away from the hustle and bustle of Berlin with a peaceful walk around Sanssouci Park!
My Photos from Sanssouci Park
History of Sanssouci Park
Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, Germany, was commissioned by Frederick the Great in 1744 as a personal retreat from the formalities of Berlin’s royal court. The name Sans souci means “without worry” in French, reflecting the king’s desire for peace and leisure. The park was designed around his summer residence, Sanssouci Palace, built between 1745–1747 in the Rococo style by architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff.
Over the next century, the park expanded to include Baroque gardens, Neoclassical buildings, and Romantic landscapes, shaped by designers like Peter Joseph Lenné and architects such as Karl Friedrich Schinkel. It became a showcase of Prussian taste and Enlightenment ideals. In 1990, Sanssouci Park and its palaces were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for their architectural unity and historical significance. Today, the park remains a cultural treasure, blending royal history with serene beauty across 290 hectares.
10 Interesting Facts About Sanssouci Park
- Frederick the Great is buried on the vineyard terrace, often honored with potatoes for his agricultural reforms.
- The Great Fountain shoots water 38 metres high — powered by a steam engine installed in 1842.
- The Chinese House is a Rococo pavilion with gilded musicians and whimsical Chinoiserie details.
- The Picture Gallery is Germany’s oldest surviving gallery building, housing works by Rubens and Caravaggio.
- The Orangery Palace stretches 300 metres and still shelters exotic plants in winter.
- The Historic Windmill was rebuilt after WWII and remains operational.
- The Roman Baths mimic a classical villa, blending architecture with Romantic landscaping.
- The Ruinenberg features faux ruins and a water reservoir — a failed fountain project until steam power arrived.
- The New Palace boasts over 200 rooms, including a shell-covered Grotto Hall and marble ballroom.
- The park contains over 3,000 fruit trees, echoing Frederick’s vision of combining beauty and utility.
Things to See and Do at Sanssouci Park
- Tour Sanssouci Palace
Visit Frederick’s Rococo summer residence with its vineyard terraces and intimate interiors. - Explore the New Palace
Marvel at Prussia’s grandest palace, built to impress after the Seven Years’ War. - Stroll the Baroque Gardens
Enjoy symmetrical flowerbeds, fountains, and statues of Roman gods. - Visit the Picture Gallery
Admire 140 paintings from the 16th–18th centuries in a lavishly decorated hall. - Discover the Chinese House
Snap photos of gilded musicians and playful Rococo ornamentation. - Wander the Roman Baths
Relax in landscaped gardens inspired by ancient villas. - Climb the Ruinenberg
Take in panoramic views and inspect the faux ruins and water basin. - Tour the Orangery Palace
Explore the Raphael Hall and winter plant halls in this Italianate structure. - See the Historic Windmill
Learn about 18th-century milling and enjoy views from the top. - Attend Seasonal Events
Look out for concerts, open-air performances, and the Potsdam Palace Night in August.
Practical Information for Visiting Sanssouci Park
- Location: Zur Historischen Mühle 1, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
- Opening Times:
- Park: Daily, 8:00 am – dusk
- Palaces:
- May–Oct: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Nov–Apr: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Closed Mondays
- Entry:
- Park: Free
- Sanssouci Palace: €12 (€8 reduced)
- Sanssouci+ Day Ticket: €19 for all palaces
- Tickets: Available online or at site; time slots required for palace entry
- Accessibility:
- Park paths mostly accessible
- Palaces have limited access; inquire ahead
- Transport:
- From Berlin: S-Bahn to Potsdam Hbf + Bus 695 or 606
- Parking available near Green Gate
- Food & Drink: Café near the Historic Windmill; restaurants in Potsdam
- Toilets: Available throughout the park
- Nearby: Charlottenhof Palace, Church of Peace, Potsdam Paradise Garden, New Garden
- Official Website: Sanssouci Park – SPSG
Next, see my photos and review from Berlin’s TV Tower.
