Travelled : 43 kilometres from Berlin (Tegel) to Potsdam
Visited : Schloss and Park Sans Souci โฌ19 double (entry to all 11 palaces and pavilions)
Stayed : Parkplatz Am Krongut. โฌ10 per day. A dedicated carpark with electricity, no other services. N52.41334 E13.02902
We say our farewells to Berlin and join the morning traffic only briefly, as we spot a Lidl almost straight away and do a quick shop. On special this week are crocs, not the original expensive ones but the โฌ5.99 generic. The tag ensures us they are made in Germany by illegal immigrants, in a sweat shop paid substantially below the union rates. Pam loves a bargain, so nags until she gets a pair.
Pam loves her new generic crocs, quiet the fashion amongst the campercar fraternity.
It’s only a relatively short drive to Potsdam but the traffic is heavy as we skirt the western side of Berlin. Potsdam was the summer home of the German King or Kaizer through the 18th, 19th and early 20th century, concluding with the abdication of the Kaizer in 1918. There are 11 palaces and other significant royal buildings within Sans Souci Park. Anyway we soon drive into Potsdam and find the stellplatz entered into the GPS. There is plenty of room and we park hoping for some afternoon shade.
Potsdam itself sits on the River Havel. However for us it’s hard to say what’s river and what’s lake as there are 3-4 substantial lakes we see surrounding the town. There are large areas of parkland around the lakes with cycle paths etc. So we get the bikes out and head off to do some exploring. Our stellplatz is a little more than a kilometre from Sans Souci, so we ride out and by our tickets for tomorrow morning and start riding the parklands.
These photos are a combination of two days around Potsdam.
Schloos Sans Souci, the main palace after which the gardens are named. Completed in 1747, its claimed to reflect the personality of Frederick the Great being based on his ideas.
The tiered garden and fountain below Schloos Sans Souci. To take photos inside the various palaces you need a photo permit, which cost another โฌ3. After the entry fee, no thanks.
Belvedere Klausberg sits on a low ridge in one corner of the park. Looks like it was built just to walk up and look over the valley.
Charlottenhof Palace, built for the crown prince and his wife Elizabeth its a much smaller building. However the gardens and fountains are special.
Built in 1757 in the chinoiserie style, this pavilion obviously reflects the Chinese influence. Seems amazing that a German King was building something like this before Australia was invaded by the English.
This panorama was taken from the courtyard at the rear of Schloos Sans Souci. If you click the image it should open full screen.
If you thought the courtyard of Sans Souci was a little over the top? This photo also taken from the courtyard but looking away and up the hill, a complete set of Roman ruins. Not real of course, Frederick the Great had an archeologist draw up plans for some Roman ruins, then had them built to provide a view from the guest bedrooms.
Pam riding the tree lined avenues of Sans Souci. It’s a lovely place to spend the afternoon riding around, you never know what’s around the corner.
20 years after Sans Souci, Frederick the Great is back at the drafting board. This time the Neue Palais (New Palace), in full rococo style. We have seen a few palaces in our travels but the Neue Palais is overwhelming in its opulence.
There must be some German Porsche Club thing on this weekend in Potsdam. They are all Spiders and Type C’s mostly red. In fact some noisy bastard parks one next to us in the stellplatz both nights we are here.
We think one of these copper plated cast iron gazebos with gilded ornamentations would look nice at your place !
Quick shot whilst avoiding the photo police. It’s only later when I check the photo, I see Pam is getting amorous. I think that Rubens in the background may have something to do with it !
Within the Orangery Palace,constructed in 1864. The Malachite Room, obviously named after its ornate fireplace carved from Russian Malachite.
Within the New Palace. This large room is decorated in sea shell. The shell is laid to create mythical creatures and patterns through the space. Even the marble floor forms a mosaic on a marine theme.
A panorama across the parade ground of the New Palace. Don’t be deceived by the photo, the ornate colonnade between the buildings is over 100 metres in length. The building on the left, the kitchen, on the right the servants quarters.
Anyway it’s been a wonderful 2 days in Potsdam. We met Richard and Chris, a couple from NZ travelling by motorhome and towing a small car. We joined them for dinner and drinks and had a wonderful evening chatting about life on the road.
Travelled: 68 kilometres from รberlingen to Blumburg, Germany. Visited: Blumburg Stayed: Blumburg Stellplatz โฌ8.50 including electricity, all the usual services. N47.83977, E08.54256 […]
