Obelisk, Potsdam

Potsdam is a city that has a significant number of memorials, monuments and public art displays. Several obelisks can be found throughout Potsdam. However, when one speaks of The Obelisk, they are referring to the Obeliskportal in Sanssouci Park.

The Obelisk is located at the eastern entrance to Sanssouci Park. It was was erected at the behest of Frederick the Great in 1747 from a design by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. The Obelisk, along with accompanying sandstone statues, was meant as a decorative piece for visitors to see as they exited the park.

The Obelisk is distinctive for having ornate hieroglyphs carved throughout. These hieroglyphs are purely created using artistic vision. They cannot be translated into actual words, sentences or stories.

Sanssouci Park is the park surrounding Sanssouci Palace. The park is open daily from 6 AM through dusk. There is no charge for entering the park but donations are accepted.