"POTSDAM" a Potsdam Travel Page by bugulma

It was one of my dreams to visit Potsdam that to see Sanssouci residence of Friedrich II. During my traveling I was twice in Sanssouci because it was closed in the first day I came there (cause of Christmas the opened day was moved) and it was sunny day. But in the next day it was snowing and I saw castles and park in snow and without. I had very interesting guide tour in Sanssouci and New Castle, it is possible to get inside only within a tourist group and it was pity I couldn't get photos inside, it was not allowed. In any way, what I saw and heard during guide tours struck me much and it is one of my strong impressions I've ever had.
This page is not about city Potsdam, although I know it is worth visiting, but about Sanssouci Park and Castles. First residence here was built by Albrekht Bear in XIII century. Since then Germans began to conquer fields around and drove out Slavic tribes who had settlements in the area. The Golden Age of Potsdam began in 1662-1669 when Friedrich Wilhelm I built a residence here. In 1743-1745 Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobellsdorf architect built Sanssouci castle for Friedrich II the Great. Later, in 1763-1769, in Friedrich II times, the New Castle was built by Johann Gottfried Büring, Heinrich Ludwig Manger und Carl von Gontard. The distance between castles is 2 km around. New castle used by Friedrich II’s family and Sanssouci Castle was used by Friedrich II for private and state interests.
Another wonderful feature of the Sanssouci is the beautiful park. As I’ve already said I was 2 days in Potsdam and it is great I saw the park with two faces, in green and in white.