Travel Diary: Sanssouci, Potsdam

Our itinerary for our day trip to Potsdam was quite ambitious. You see, Potsdam was a former royal city so it has no shortage of palaces and parks, most of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can just imagine how long our checklist of places to visit was! We probably could’ve visited them all if we joined a tour but my sister decided against it because she understood my need to take photos of every little thing I see. (Hence, the thousands of photos I end up complaining about every time I start making my travel diaries.) Once we stepped foot inside Sanssouci Park, we knew there was no way we’d finish our checklist. Sanssouci Park alone has various palaces and garden complexes already! The place is HUGE! I felt like I lost so much weight just walking from one palace to another. I kid you not, Sanssouci Park was a walkathon! It’s all worth it though. I mean, just look at the photos below. It’s a dreamland!

This was the first thing I saw when we arrived. It’s located just a few steps away from the ticketing/souvenir shop of Sanssouci. It’s not a palace but actually the University of Potsdam. How cool is that? A university right inside the royal gardens!

Across the University is the Neues Palais or the New Palace. Although Schloss Sanssouci or Sanssouci Palace is the main focus of the park, there’s so much more to see inside the New Palace. I guess it’s because it was built by Frederick the Great to show Prussia’s glory and power after the Seven Years’ War.

The New Palace is filled with luxurious ceremonial halls, magnificent galleries and richly designed private suites such as the King’s Apartment, all of which show extravagant Baroque elements. The King really wanted to “show off”, in a way. This entire palace was meant to welcome royals and dignitaries from all over the world.

Located around 2 kilometers or so away from the New Palace is Schloss Sanssouci (Sanssouci Palace). The palace sits atop a terraced garden that Frederick the Great had made to cultivate plums, figs and wine. The King didn’t want the beautiful view to go to waste so he thought of building the palace on top of the garden to serve as his summer residence.

As I’ve mentioned, Sanssouci Palace is far smaller than the New Palace. It was built 20 years before the New Palace and was never intended to be anything more than the King’s private residence. In fact, the palace’s name itself comes from the French phrase “sans souci” which means “without concern”. The King wanted Sanssouci Palace to be a place for relaxation, no fuss, no muss–a direct contrast to the New Palace.

Sanssouci Palace is often considered the Versailles of Germany, although it’s much smaller in size and is more Rococo style than Baroque.

Frederick The Great’s really oversaw every little detail of the palace’s construction. He made sure his personal style was incorporated into all of the rooms and decor. This is how “Frederician Rococo” was coined.

One thing is for sure, Frederick The Great has quite the taste! I approve!

In all of the palaces at Sanssouci, I almost had a stiff neck looking up the ceilings and checking out all of the chandeliers. This one, in particular, was the most interesting. The entire room took the floral theme to the next level!

This is the New Chambers with the historic Dutch windmill behind it. It was originally built as an orangery but Frederick The Great converted it into a splendidly decorated guest palace. You know Frederick, he’s my guy! He must be the most stylish king ever!

My sister and I almost skipped the New Chambers because we spent so much time walking to and from the New Palace and Schloss Sanssouci. Good thing we made it just before its 6PM closing time. Look at this room!

White and gold, just how I like it.

I’d like my bedroom to look like this please!

Our last stop was the Orangery Palace. I didn’t really get to explore this place because it was already closed by the time we reached it. (I told you it’s a walkathon!) Aside from the places I’ve shown you, there are still plenty of other sights to see at Sanssouci like the Picture Gallery, Charlottenhof Palace, Chinese House and the Roman Baths.

Sanssouci also has plenty of gardens and parks designed in the Baroque style. It was incredibly hot that day so I was thankful for them. They provided much-needed resting places for my sister and I after exploring all the palaces.

Let me just pretend for a little while that I’m in some sort of secret garden. What did I tell you? Sanssouci IS a dreamland!

86 Responses to “Travel Diary: Sanssouci, Potsdam”
  1. Ron

    Wonderful ! Thank you !

    She walks in beauty, like the night
    Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
    And all that’s best of dark and bright
    Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
    Thus mellowed to that tender light
    Which heaven to gaudy day denies…

    Reply
  2. Lisa

    Hi Ms. Camille! What time did you start exploring Sanssouci? Planning a trip for the summer and I’m afraid we might not get to go to most of the places in a day.. Absolutely love you travel diaries! :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      I can’t remember but I think it was around noon? My suggestion is to go there early in the morning so that you don’t have to hurry like us. Most of the palaces close by 5pm :)

      Reply
  3. Chantel :)

    I love this place, i can say im so empress and inlove with this place. In a snap of a finge,If i have 1 wish, i will definitely go here… :)

    Reply
  5. Lourine

    Woah! One of the many reasons why I just can’t skip your travel diaries.

    This place is just soooo grand. Grabe, tapos yung isang Palace is for resting lang? I would love to be the King’s guest! May entrance fee dyan? Or free lang?

    Reply
  7. Ledi

    yes miss Camille. starting from this blog and up to the latest. tried to find links if i could see photos but there’s none. :(

    Reply
  9. maebs

    Sanssouci Palace is majestic, regal, beautiful. European Architecture is really historical and amazing. :) unlike now, modern Architecture but still beautiful parin naman although wala ng history on it. :)

    Reply
  10. precious anne

    I can say that “you belong there”.. You look like a Princess on her casual dress walking around your palace..:) awesome pictures! thank you so much for sharing it to us..:)

    Reply
  11. Jolene

    My aunt lives in potsdam ate camille and the park is just a few minutes walk from their house. Maybe next year I’m finally getting the chance to see it personally :)

    Reply
  12. Kaks

    Wow this may have topped the one I bragged about about the Palace of Versailles! This is definitely a must visit and to think that there’s not much people around compared to the crowded Versailles. :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Versailles is always crowded but I think it’s still prettier than Sanssouci :)

      Reply
  14. Anaivilo

    Oh My God! I cannot believe the opulence and luxurious decorations! I just looove palaces and this one is absolutely gorgeous!! Wonderful photos, oh..

    Reply
  16. Ericka Garcia

    Just when I thought that only France and UK are rich in castles! I stand corrected. That place is absolutely beautiful! :-)

    Love,
    Ericka Garcia

    Reply
  17. Clariss

    Your travel diaries is so worth reading! Those photos are so perfect ate cams :)) and now my bucket list is soooooo long. I hope that i can visit all awesome place you’ve been to. We have the same dilemma btw hahaha it’s really hard to choose photos especially when there’s so many good ones. Are you a photo hoarder too? Haha

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Check out my post before this :) Wrote it there! Link is there too :)

      Reply
  20. Leigh

    Ma’am muniz told us that she told you that you’re going to be a model. :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      She did? Haha! :) I don’t remember na! She must tell you guys I’m smart LOL! Just kidding :)

      Reply
  22. Anne

    Toot toorooroot tooroot! Her Royal Highness Queen Camille! This post is lovely Cams! It feels so regal and ethereal. This kind of architecture never ceases to make me fall in love. I think I’m an old soul lost in the 21st century. LOL! I feel you right there about wanting to take too much photos of all the little things. Maybe I’d suck in a tour group so I’d better get myself a map and wing it when I travel. Yeah, that’d be a whole lot of adventure. Your achi is a really good photographer Cams! Your outfit shots are majestic. *wink*

    http://www.annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. Cara

    HI Ms Camille, What camera do you used with your photos. It’s very nice. Btw. You’re so awesome :)

    Reply
  26. Reena

    Ang gandaaaaaaaa ng place! So dreamy and I sure am gonna feel like a princess pag nandyan ako… It’s a must na ang kasama mo walking master din. I can’t imagine walking to different places with my grandmother in tow. hehehe.

    Mabuti naman at hindi masyado na apektohan ang mga lugar na ito noong kasagsagan ng WW2… It would be such a shame pag nawala ang mga ito.

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Yes! Dapat talaga someone who doesn’t mind walking. My sister gets tired easily but it’s okay because there were plenty of benches along the way. We just took short breaks in between :) Actually, some parts were destroyed also but of course, they restored them.

      Reply
  27. judy

    It is truly a dreamland! Beautiful floral themed room and the terraced garden is amazing! Great photos and outfit.

    Reply
  30. Yana

    Yayy for another travel diary! I want an achi too that’s willing to take my photos haha! My brothers don’t like taking mine :( hahaha! I love the whole place!!! It would probably take me 2 or 3 days there and a whole lot of memory card because I’d probably be posing everywhere hahahaha it’s so picturesque!! My favorite rooms would be the floral one and the white and gold one. Such lovely rooms! I bet the walkathon was worth it!!! :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      The walkathon was definitely worth it. My sister has her moments too but she still takes my photos anyway haha! :) must be love!

      Reply
  32. Katrin Tuano

    Wow! *jaw drop moment* This place is AMAZING! Sanssouci is now added to my travel bucketlist!! I want my room to be like that floral room. hahaha girly girly, just how I like it! And I’m sure you really felt like a Princess in this place. Sanssouci is seriously beautiful :) Btw, is this trip a family vacation or work related? Haha I’m just curious haha

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Work-related :) But I went earlier so that we have a day or 2 to go around :)

      Reply
  34. anne-marie

    I visited there many years, it is a beautiful place
    Beautiful photos

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Never ever skip my travel posts please! :) It’s so hard to compile these and I’m really proud of them :)

      Reply
  40. Kay

    Haaaaaiiiizzzz!!! It’s so beautiful! I can walk here the whole day while pretending I own this dreamy place! You can’t be bored and get tired here?! I mean… you can pretend you’re having tea with pastries with your family or friends or riding a cute bicycle around the garden or reading a book under the shades with a glass of fruit shake! This is definitely every girls’ dream house! hahahaha!

    Reply
  42. Kris

    It’s so beautiful and majestic there! Take me with you Ms. Camille!! lol :)

    Reply
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