Sunday, May 1, 2011

Potsdam - a royal city


The Neues Palais  - resplendent example of Baroque architecture with stunning Rococo style in the theatre
We calculated there were around 400 statues adorning the roof of this palace

It says "Sans Souci" which is French for 'without worry'.
This huge windmill adjacent to the palace reflect the dutch influence
The frontal view of Neues Palais - reflecting the Prussians as a European power house in the 18th and 19th century
Front view of the Sans Souci Palace - elegant and imposing!
The Neues Palais with just some of the sculptures above
The Old Town City Hall - very much in keeping with the elegant charm of the rest of the city
Referred to as the Dutch Quarter - the red brick characterized some 170 of almost identical structures in Potsdam
Friedenskirche is the burial place of Wilhelm IV, Emperor Fredrich III and  Friedrich Wilhelm I
Neuener Tor - the site of an original gate of the walled city
This statue called the Christus is one of the originals of Bertel Thorvalsen's which are now found throughout the world
Brandenburg Gate - a triumphal arch - you can see the church through the arch  (see picture)
 Potsdam tops my list of places to see in Germany and I have visited many.  There were two million visitors in Berlin and Potsdam during the Easter weekend.  It is no surprise that this impressive city with its palaces, parks and history takes center stage as one of Europe's top places to visit.  We enjoyed every minute at  another of Gemany's marvelous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We have seen most of them now and this encompasses acclaim for its architecture, art, spacious gardens and the city's overall aesthetic plan and design.