Page 80 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

78 BACK ROADS GERMANY

VISITING PARK SANSSOUCI BORNSTE DTE R S T R
Parking AMUNDSENSTRASSE
Ample parking space is available Schloss Cecilienhof
at Neues Palais outside the entrance Orangerieschloss
Schloss
to the park. Sanssouci
MAULBEERALLEE J A G E R A L L E E
Tourist Information Neue Kammern Bildergalerie
An der Orangerie 1, 14469; 0331 969 Neues Hauptallee
Palais
42 00; closed Mon Italienische
Friedenskirche
Chinesisches
Haus
WHERE TO STAY
Römische
AROUND PARK SANSSOUCI Bäder
Dorint Hotel Sanssouci moderate Schloss ZEPPELIN STR BREITESTRASSE
The Dorint Hotel Sanssouci, whose Charlottenhof 0 metres 800
striking 1950s Anglo-American design G ESCHWISTER-SCHOLL-STR
contrasts sharply with the surroundings, 0 yards 800
is both pleasant and very conveniently
located for guests.
Allee nach Sanssouci 1, 14471 Potsdam 4 Park Sanssouci
(2 km/1 mile south of the park); Brandenburg; 14469
0331 909 10; www.hotel-potsdam.
dorint.com A vast collection of ornate gardens, water features and follies,
Park Sanssouci is also home to fantastic Neo-Classical, Baroque
Hotel am Luisenplatz moderate
A harmonious and unique ambience and Rococo palaces and pavilions. The first building on the site
awaits guests at this very stylish hotel was the enchanting Schloss Sanssouci, built for the Prussian King
located in the historic down town of Frederick the Great in 1745. Over the next 150 years, the park was
Potsdam. The rooms and suites of this
four-star hotel are elegantly appointed. transformed into one of the finest royal complexes in Europe.
Luisenplatz 5, 14471 Potsdam (2 km/
1 mile south of the park); 0331 97
19 00; www.hotel-luisenplatz.de A two-hour (closed Tue), or New Palace, is
walking tour much larger and grander
Arrive early at Park than Schloss Sanssouci. It
Below top Outdoor exhibits in Filmpark Sanssouci in order to is accessed by following
Babelsberg Below Schloss Cecilienhof in avoid the crowds. Georg Hauptallee, the straight
the Neuer Garten, Park Sanssouci Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff avenue that runs through
(1699–1753) built this lavish Fountain head at Park Sanssouci. This palace
complex between 1745 and the Neues Palais was built after the Seven
1747. From the car park, Years’ War (1756–63) as a
walk to the sur prisingly small Schloss sym bol of the strength and stability
Sanssouci 1 (open Tue–Sun), which of Frederick‘s reign in the wake of the
served the art-loving Frederick the conflict. High lights of this palace
Great as a retreat from wars and daily include the Grotto Hall where marble
politics. Start the tour through the walls and columns are decorated
park at this magnificent Rococo with marine motifs. The upper gal-
palace, set atop beautiful terraced lery has paint ings by 17th-cen tury
lands with grapevines. To the east of masters and the theatre is still used to
the palace stands the Bildergalerie 2, host performan ces of classical music.
home to the king’s collection of Take the path to the south of the
17th-cen tury Italian and Dutch paint- Neues Palais to Schloss Charlottenhof,
ings, including works by Caravaggio, (May–Oct: open Tue–Sun, guided tours
Rubens and Van Dyck. To the west only), a palace built in 1826 during
of the palace is the massive Neue the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm IV by
Kammern 3 (Apr–Oct: open Tue– architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in
Sun; closed Nov–March), the new typical Neo-Classical style. From here,
chambers, formerly used as a guest- walk to the neighbouring Römische
house by the royal family. Bäder (May–Oct: closed Mon), or Roman
Cross the Maulbeerallee and follow Baths, and the Chinesisches Haus 6
signs to Orangerieschloss 4 (Apr: (May–Oct: closed Mon). Designed in
open Sat & Sun; May–Oct: closed Mon), an imitation Chinese style that was
which dates back to 1860 and now fashionable in 1757, this Rococo tea-
houses the tourist information centre house was once used to host royal
for the park. The Neues Palais 5 tea parties. An exhibition of exquisite
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150

078-079_175705_BR_GER.indd 78 18/07/16 12:14 pm
Back Roads LAYERS PRINTED:
Tour Map Spread template “UK” LAYER
(OpenType)
Date 02 November 2009
Size 145mm x 217mm
Font Frutiger Pro, Myriad Pro