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New Palace: A Prussian Proclamation

Experience the grandeur of Prussian Baroque architecture at Potsdam's New Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and testament to royal power.

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The New Palace (Neues Palais) in Potsdam, Germany, is a grand Baroque palace built by King Frederick the Great after the Seven Years' War to demonstrate Prussia's power and glory. In contrast to the intimate Sanssouci Palace, the New Palace features lavishly decorated halls and galleries, serving as a guest house for important royals and dignitaries.

A brief summary to New Palace

  • Monday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4:30 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4:30 pm

Local tips

  • Purchase tickets in advance online or at the visitor centers to avoid long queues, especially during peak season.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking to explore the palace interiors and the extensive Sanssouci Park.
  • Visit during the shoulder season (April-May or September-October) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
  • Check the schedule for performances at the palace theater, which still hosts events today.
  • Download the SANSSOUCI app for multimedia tours in multiple languages to enhance your visit.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), take bus 605 or X15 towards Neues Palais. The bus ride takes approximately 20 minutes, and the bus stops directly in front of the New Palace. A single ticket costs around €3.

  • Walking

    From Potsdam Park Sanssouci Station, the New Palace is approximately a 15-minute walk. Exit the station and follow the signs through Sanssouci Park towards the western end of the main avenue (Hauptallee). The walk is scenic and passes by other attractions within the park.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    A taxi or ride-share from Potsdam Hauptbahnhof to the New Palace takes approximately 10 minutes, depending on traffic. The estimated cost is between €12-€18.

  • Parking

    Paid parking is available at the P3 car park, located directly at the New Palace. Parking fees vary, but expect to pay around €2-€3 per hour. Parking spaces are limited, especially during peak season.

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Discover more about New Palace

The New Palace, or Neues Palais, stands as a testament to Prussian ambition and architectural prowess. Constructed between 1763 and 1769, after the Seven Years' War, King Frederick the Great intended it to showcase Prussia's resurgence on the European stage. The palace, located at the western end of Sanssouci Park, is a stark contrast to Frederick's more intimate Sanssouci Palace. Designed by architects Johann Gottfried Büring, Heinrich Ludwig Manger, and Carl von Gontard, the New Palace is one of the largest palace buildings of its time. Its 220-meter facade is adorned with over 400 statues, while the interior boasts more than 200 rooms, including magnificent banquet halls, galleries, and royal apartments. Highlights include the Marble Hall, with its stunning ceiling painting, the Grotto Hall, decorated with shells and minerals, and the palace theater, which is still used for performances today. While Frederick the Great considered the palace a 'fanfaronade' and primarily used it to impress guests, later Prussian rulers, such as Emperor Frederick III and Kaiser Wilhelm II, used it as a summer residence. Today, the New Palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin and is open to the public. Visitors can explore its opulent interiors, stroll through the surrounding gardens, and experience the grandeur of Prussia's imperial past.

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