Potsdam

Potsdam: Market Square with the Old Town Hall of Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Das_Alte_Rathaus_zu_Potsdam.jpg
Author: Florian S.


Potsdam is the capital and biggest city in the state of Brandenburg. It is located to the southwest of the German capital Berlin, which is a city state entirely surrounded by but not part of Brandenburg. Potsdam covers 187 sq km (72 sq mi) and has a population of 159,000 people (2012 estimate).The city is on the river Havel, about 24 km (15 mi) from the Berlin city center.

Potsdam was the residence of Prussian kings and German emperors. As such, it is to Germany what Windsor is to Britain. The city is also home to the palaces and parks of Sanssouci, which is often compared to the Versailles. Sanssouci is the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. In 1990, it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site, under the title Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, during the 14th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

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St Nikolaikirche, Potsdam
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nicolaikirchepotsdam2011.jpg
Author: DennisHH


Human habitation in the Potsdam area has been traced to the Bronze Age. The present city can trace its roots to a Slavic settlement established probably around the 7th century. It was overshadowed by the city of Brandenburg an der Havel until the 17th century, when Brandenburg was devastated by the Thirty Years' War, and Potsdam took over as the capital.

From 1815 until 1945, Potsdam was the capital of the governorate of Potsdam. While Berlin was the official capital of Prussia and later of the German Empire, the German court remained in Potsdam.

The interior of Friedenskirche in Potsdam
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Friedenskirche_innen_Potsdam.jpg
Author: extranoise


Potsdam was severely destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. After the war, it became part of East Germany. Potsdam served as the capital of the shortlived East German state of Brandenburg until the East German government abolished federative states to create smaller administrative districts. From 1952 until 1990, Potsdam was the capital of the administrative district of Bezirk Potsdam.

Following German reunification, the federal state of Brandenburg was reestablished, and Potsdam once again became its capital.

The City & State Library of Potsdam
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stadt-_und_Landesbibliothek_Potsdam_01.JPG
Author: Lutki

How to go to Potsdam

There are several ways to reach Potsdam from Berlin. As it is within Berlin's metropolitan area, you can take the S-Bahn S7 from Berlin. The Potsdam Railway Station is its terminus.

If you are going by road, you can either take the ring road Autobahn 10, or Autobahn 115 from Berlin.

Garnisonkirche, Potsdam
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garnisonkirche_November_2013.jpg
Author: Arild Vågen

Places of Interest in Potsdam

Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam, Brandenburg
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1018.Schlo%C3%9F_Sanssouci(frz.sans_souci_%3D_ohne_Sorge)_am_Hang_eines_Weinberg_1745-1747_Steffen_Heilfort.JPG
Author: Steffen Heilfort

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