Communs, Potsdam
The two buildings of Communs were the locations of the royal kitchens, gardeners' shops, palace guard quarters, servants' quarters and utilities. The two buildings were designed to reflect the Baroque appearance of the palace by architects Carl von Gontard and Jean Laurent Le Geay in 1769.
The Communs buildings have a curved colonnade decorated with multiple statues and obelisks. The statuary contains over 400 figures that represent gods and demigods from ancient mythology. The use of curved staircases, domes and columns created a visually pleasing appearance that blocked the marshlands that once sat beyond the area.
An underground tunnel was built in 1896 at the behest of Wilhelm II. This tunnel allowed access between the Communs and the palace during poor weather. There is also an underground tunnel that connects the two buildings to each other.
Located in Sanssouci Park, the Communs now belong to the University of Potsdam.
The Communs buildings have a curved colonnade decorated with multiple statues and obelisks. The statuary contains over 400 figures that represent gods and demigods from ancient mythology. The use of curved staircases, domes and columns created a visually pleasing appearance that blocked the marshlands that once sat beyond the area.
An underground tunnel was built in 1896 at the behest of Wilhelm II. This tunnel allowed access between the Communs and the palace during poor weather. There is also an underground tunnel that connects the two buildings to each other.
Located in Sanssouci Park, the Communs now belong to the University of Potsdam.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Potsdam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Communs on Map
Sight Name: Communs
Sight Location: Potsdam, Germany (See walking tours in Potsdam)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Potsdam, Germany (See walking tours in Potsdam)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Potsdam, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Potsdam
Creating your own self-guided walk in Potsdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Neuer Garten Walking Tour
Laid out at the behest of Friedrich William II in 1787, Potsdam's Neuer Garten (New Garden) was indeed "new" compared to the already in place Sanssouci Park.
Between 1816 and 1828, the area was modified further as an English-style, open landscape garden, with an aim to reproduce nature – trees and plants were left to grow naturally, unshaped and untrimmed. Rural life was also... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Between 1816 and 1828, the area was modified further as an English-style, open landscape garden, with an aim to reproduce nature – trees and plants were left to grow naturally, unshaped and untrimmed. Rural life was also... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Sanssouci Park Walking Tour
Sanssouci Park is a unique Potsdam landmark that occupies 290 hectares in the heart of the city. The Park is named after the Sanssouci Palace that it surrounds, which in turn takes its name from the French phrase "sans souci", which means carefree, and implies that the palace was designated as a place of fun, rather than a seat of power.
Indeed, the Sanssouci Palace was built in 1747... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Indeed, the Sanssouci Palace was built in 1747... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Potsdam Introduction Walking Tour
Potsdam was likely founded during the seventh century by the Hevelli tribe. The town was mentioned by the name of Poztupimi in a document from Emperor Otto III. The name likely came from an old Western Slavonic term roughly meaning "beneath the oaks."
By the early 1300s, a small town had formed with a town charter. By 1573 the town had around 2,000 people living there. Potsdam rose to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
By the early 1300s, a small town had formed with a town charter. By 1573 the town had around 2,000 people living there. Potsdam rose to... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles