A world of palaces, parks and gardens: Potsdam

Potsdam, the state capital of Brandenburg, is best known as the former royal seat of Prussia with a number of magnificent parks and palaces. Prussia's splendour and glory, the legacy of Frederick I and Frederick II (better known as Frederick the Great), a proud tradition as a seat of art and science – Potsdam offers a spectacular wealth of culture and history.

Royal dreams and Germany's largest world heritage site

300 years ago, the garrison town of Potsdam became one of Europe's most magnificent royal cities. The Prussian kings created a baroque dream in Potsdam and its surroundings, to which their successors added great neo-classical monuments. In 1990, the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status – at that time still at the request of the two rival German states. The original site encompassed the parks of Sanssouci, Neuer Garten, Babelsberg, Glienicke and Peacock Island along with their palaces. Sacrow Palace and park and the Saviour's Church were added in 1992, while in 1999 another 14 monuments joined the list, including Lindstedt Palace and park, the Russian colony Alexandrowka, Belvedere Palace on Pfingstberg hill, Kaiserbahnhof station and the observatory at Babelsberg Park. All told, the world heritage site now covers about 500 hectares of parkland and 150 buildings dating from 1730 to 1916.

The New Palace on Alter Markt square and three magnificent city gates

A good starting point for a walk through the historical centre of Potsdam is Alter Markt, the city's central square. The Church of St. Nicholas, Lustgarten park and the Old Town Hall form an impressive grouping of grand buildings. The royal palace currently being rebuilt on Alter Markt square will provide a new seat for the regional assembly. An on-site information centre provides details of this ambitious construction project and about the history of the palace, which was razed to the ground in 1959 by the East German government as a relic of Prussian imperialism. Der Neue Markt aus dem 17. und 18. Hidden behind a row of houses, Neuer Markt, which dates from the 17th and 18th century, is one of the best-preserved baroque squares in Europe, and arguably the most beautiful square in the city. The former coaching stables are now home to the House of Brandenburg and Prussian History, which is well worth a visit. Next to this, Luisenplatz square provides the link between baroque Brandenburger Strasse and the tree-lined avenue that leads to the entrance of Sanssouci Park.

Three impressive city gates dominate the old quarter of Potsdam, each more splendid than the next: Brandenburg Gate, a massive triumphal arch commemorating the Seven Years' War, Hunter's Gate, named after the royal hunting lodge to the north of the city, and Nauen Gate, one of the most popular meeting places in the city centre and a fine example of the English neo-Gothic style.

Prussia's European heritage

Nauen Gate gives access to the Dutch quarter, where the ambience and lifestyle are a bit more laid back. Lovingly decorated courtyards, cafés, offbeat bars and avant-garde galleries make this the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. It wasn't just the Dutch who found new homes in Potsdam, right from its very beginnings the city has had many European influences; Die Ansiedlung von Hugenotten, die Errichtung der russischen Siedlung, die Schweizerhäuser aus dem 19. Potsdam has always been open to new people, cultures and ideas, from the influx of Huguenot settlers, the building of the Russian colony and the 19th century Swiss houses to the Norwegian-style naval station Kongsnaes and Cecilienhof House, which was modelled on English country houses. Visitors are always welcome, too. This is as true today as it was in days gone by, when Voltaire ended up staying for two years.