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POTSDAM
- GERMANY
Potsdam (population 145,002 in June 30, 2004)
is a city in eastern Germany, and the capital of the state of Brandenburg.
It is situated near Berlin, on the Havel river.
History
Potsdam was probably founded in the 10th century. It was first mentioned in
993. The village remained small and insignificant, until it was chosen for
the residence of Frederick William I, elector of Brandenburg, in 1660. The
city was later also adopted as a residence of the Prussian royal family. The
majestic buildings were mainly built during the reign of Frederick the Great.
The Sanssouci Palace (in French: "free of care", by Georg Wenzeslaus von
Knobelsdorff, 1744) is one of these buildings, famed for its formal gardens
and Rococo interiors. While Berlin was the official capital of Prussia and
later of the German Empire, the court remained in Potsdam. The city lost
this status as a second capital in 1918, when the World War I was over and
the emperor Wilhelm II deposed.
The city of Potsdam was severely damaged in
bombing raids during World War II. The Cecilienhof palace was the scene of
the Potsdam Conference in August 1945.
The government of the GDR endeavoured to erase the symbols of Prussian
militarism. Many historic buildings were torn down. Potsdam bordered on West
Berlin and was, after the construction of the Berlin Wall, cut off from the
neighbouring metropolis.
After the German reunification Potsdam became the capital of the newly
established state of Brandenburg.
Sights in Potsdam
Sanssouci Palace, former palace of the Prussian royal and German imperial
families
Orangery Palace, former palace for foreign royal guests
Neues Palais ("New Palace"), an additional palace in Sanssouci Park, built
in 1769
Charlottenhof, another palace in Sanssouci Park, by Karl Friedrich Schinkel
(1826)
New Garden with two smaller palaces, one of them Cecilienhof, where the
Potsdam Conference was held
Old Town with the Brandenburg Gate (1770, not to be confused with the
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin), St. Nikolai church (1850) and town hall (1753)
Babelsberg, a quarter east of the centre, housing the UFA film studios
Einstein Tower, Erich Mendelsohn architect, 1920-24
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