House of Brandenburg-Prussian History, Potsdam

The House of Brandenburg-Prussian History, located in the historic center of Potsdam, is a museum dedicated to the rich history of the State of Brandenburg and its connection to Prussia. Opened in December 2003, the museum is housed in a building that originally served as the Royal Carriages Garage, constructed between 1787 and 1790 by court architect Andreas Ludwig Krüger near the Stadtschloss (City Palace) at the New Market Square.

The museum's permanent exhibition, "Land and People," takes visitors on a journey through 900 years of Brandenburg and Prussian history. It highlights the everyday lives and social history of the people from the regions between Kleve and Königsberg. The exhibition features around 400 artifacts, including films, photographs, and interactive multimedia stations, allowing visitors to delve deeply into the cultural and historical roots of Brandenburg and Prussia.

The historic building itself adds to the museum experience, with its magnificent early-Classicist facade, adorned with Tuscan-style pilasters and a grand portal crowned by a Quadriga sculpture. The building’s past use as a horse carriage stall, providing accommodations for 100 horses and their keepers until 1918, lends a unique atmosphere to the museum. After the monarchy's abolition, the building was repurposed for various commercial activities until it was acquired by the State of Brandenburg in 1997 for the establishment of the museum.

Visitors can explore the museum's nine chapters within the vaulted stall building, featuring high ceilings and red sandstone pillars. Exhibits cover the lives of 18th-century hunters and fishermen, an interactive city model of Prussian Potsdam, and 19th-century art and literature. The museum also offers insights into daily life during the GDR era, including an interactive presentation on the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961 and its impact. The tour ends with the re-establishment of the State of Brandenburg.

With its comprehensive exhibits and historic setting, the House of Brandenburg-Prussian History offers visitors an engaging and educational journey through the intertwined histories of Brandenburg and Prussia, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and tourists exploring Potsdam.