Babelsberg Palace, Potsdam

Babelsberg Palace, known in German as Schloss Babelsberg, is a historic royal residence in Babelsberg Park in Potsdam, near Berlin. This palace served as the summer residence of Prince William, who later became German Emperor William I and King of Prussia, and his wife, Augusta of the House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the German Empress and Queen of Prussia, for over fifty years.

The palace, constructed in the English Gothic Revival style, was built in two phases between 1833 and 1849. The design and construction were initially overseen by the renowned architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel until he died in 1841. The project was then continued by Ludwig Persius and Johann Heinrich Strack. The architectural significance of Babelsberg Palace lies not only in its design but also in its influence, as it served as the model for constructing Kittendorf Palace in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by Schinkel's pupil, Friedrich Hitzig.

One of the most historically significant events associated with Babelsberg Palace occurred on September 22, 1862, when a pivotal discussion occurred between King William I of Prussia and Otto von Bismarck. This meeting led to Bismarck's appointment as Minister President and Foreign Minister of Prussia, a role that would profoundly influence German and European history.

The palace is surrounded by terraces adorned with mosaics, sculptures, and beautifully arranged flowerbeds, leading to a Gothic fountain. These terraces transition into the English-style landscaped gardens designed by Peter Joseph Lenné and Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau. The gardens feature winding paths that lead to the Flatowturm Tower, constructed between 1853 and 1856, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area.

Babelsberg Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1990. This recognition was given for its architectural cohesion and its importance as a testament to the power and influence of the Prussian monarchy.