Potsdam City Palace, Potsdam

The Potsdam City Palace, located on the Old Market Square in Potsdam, is a historically significant building that has undergone various transformations since its initial construction. Originally serving as the second official residence (winter residence) for the margraves and electors of Brandenburg, and later for the kings of Prussia and German emperors, the palace has a rich history that reflects the architectural and political evolution of the region.

The palace's origins trace back to the 13th century when a castle occupied the site. In the mid-17th century, Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, who made Potsdam his second residence, commissioned a new palace between 1662 and 1669, likely designed by Johann Gregor Memhardt in a Dutch style. It was remodeled from 1744 to 1752 by architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff under Friedrich II, incorporating Baroque and Rococo elements, making it a key example of Frederician Rococo. The palace was heavily damaged in a 1945 bombing raid and later dismantled in 1960 by the East German regime, leaving only the stables, now the Potsdam Museum of Film.

In 1991, discussions about the reconstruction of the City Palace began, and by 2005, it was decided that the palace would be reconstructed to serve as the seat of the Brandenburg state parliament. This modern reconstruction, featuring historically accurate facades and a contemporary interior designed by Peter Kulka, was completed and inaugurated in January 2014.

Today, the Potsdam City Palace stands once again as one of Potsdam’s notable landmarks, merging the city’s historical grandeur with a modern function as the home of the Brandenburg parliament. The reconstruction effort has helped restore a significant part of Potsdam’s heritage, reviving the spirit of the original 18th-century palace.