A trip to Berlin without at least one day visit to nearby town of Potsdam is inconceivable. If you plan a longer trip in Potsdam you may find and book a hotel there by clicking here.
Although very close to Berlin, half an hour or so by train,Potsdam resides in another federal state of Germany, Brandenburg, and serves as its capital.
143,000 inhabitants live in Potsdam. It stretches on both banks of the Havel River. There are many canals and lakes, and many forests, in its vicinity.
Potsdam's interesting history is the basis of the excursions in the area.
From Poztupimi to Potsdam
Potsdam was first mentioned in a document written in the late years of the 10th century. Its name was then Poztupimi. Since 1317 it is a city. Trade started to develop there only in the middle of the 17th when the Elector Prince of Prussia - Brandenburg Friedrich Wilhelm II made it his summer residence and ordered his architect Memhardt, who built the fortifications of Berlin, to build for him a palace in Potsdam.
Frederick the 2nd (the Great) expanded the palace, and added to it the Sanssouci Palace and New Palace. During his reign, the city attracted writers, philosophers and musicians. The Palaces' gardens became the site of pilgrimage for tourists from around the world, wanting to see the place which became known as "Versailles of the North".
The first railway in Prussia was first operated in 1938 between Berlin and Potsdam.
The fall and rise of Potsdam
On 21 March 1933, shortly after the Nazi takeover of power in Germany, President Hindenburg and the new Prime minister Hitler signed at Potsdam the National Alliance between National Germany (Hindenburg was its icon)and Nazi Germany. In April 1945, several weeks before the end of World War II, British bombers destroyed the city center including the old palace.
Another historic event which gave the city world fame is Potsdam Conference. In August 1945 the leaders of the three victorious powers - Truman, Stalin and Churchill (and his successor Attlee) - convened in Cecilienhof palace in Potsdam and signed the agreement which divided the territory of Germany into four occupation zones - Soviet, American, British and French.
The severe damage caused by aerial bombing of the city and the construction projects under the communist East German regime, made the recovery of most of the palaces impossible. Nevertheless, three large parks with their palaces remained, and they are now a major attraction for visitors. UNESCO declared in 1990 on the palaces and gardens of Potsdam "site of cultural heritage worldwide".
Going by train and on a bike
The most convenient way to get Potsdam is by the urban train (S-Bahn), line 1, go down at Potsdam railway station, and take a tram or bus from there.
Note: Public transport operates in C area of Berlin's public transport company BVG. Thus, we have to buy tickets separately. These tickets are just fine for the Berlin area B as well, but there are few tourist attractions there. It is recommended to purchase a daily ticket for Potsdam separately, allowing free movement in all public transport lines in the city all day.
Energetic tourists should consider renting a bike in Berlin and ride to Potsdam and back. Bikes allow free movement in the vast gardens, without swollen feet.
Walking routes in Potsdam
The three largest parks of Potsdam, and the palaces placed in those parks, is now a major attraction for visitors. The largest park is Sanssouci Park. There are plenty of spectacular buildings and gardens there. Sanssouci Park is situated near the old city, in which more beautiful sites are situated.
The second largest park is the New Park, which includes the Ceciliieinhof Palace where Potsdam Conference was held at the end of World War II.
The third largest park is Bablsberg Park, which also has palaces.
