| Splendor in the Ash |
For more than 3 centuries the rulers of Brandenburg hired
the very best artists of their time to build and enhance the
Royal buildings in and around Berlin with elaborate palaces
and gardens with building activity under the Prussian rulers
from Joachim II to the last of the German emperors. Sans
Souci, in Potsdam, was built by George Wenzeslaus von
Knobelsdorff, army officer turned architect, on the orders
of Friedrich, who was personally involved in its design.
the very best artists of their time to build and enhance the
Royal buildings in and around Berlin with elaborate palaces
and gardens with building activity under the Prussian rulers
from Joachim II to the last of the German emperors. Sans
Souci, in Potsdam, was built by George Wenzeslaus von
Knobelsdorff, army officer turned architect, on the orders
of Friedrich, who was personally involved in its design.
Potsdam is a former fishing village on the Havel River only 16 miles from Berlin, and contained
more than 20 glorious palaces, 19 lakes, fountains and verdant parks. The small town dates from
993, but its real growth accelerated in 1713, under Friedrich and his father. Rococo Sans Souci,
surrounded by terraced vineyards, stands majestically on a hill in the middle of a 725 acre park.
Because Friedrich was a such passionate nature lover, it was built to let the outside inside.
more than 20 glorious palaces, 19 lakes, fountains and verdant parks. The small town dates from
993, but its real growth accelerated in 1713, under Friedrich and his father. Rococo Sans Souci,
surrounded by terraced vineyards, stands majestically on a hill in the middle of a 725 acre park.
Because Friedrich was a such passionate nature lover, it was built to let the outside inside.
In 1729, 30 years old Georg Wenceslaus von Knobelsdorff abandoned his army career to follow his
true calling as an architect. Knobelsdorff became a personal friend of Crown Prince Friedrich, who
named Knobelsdorff "Superintendent of all Royal Palaces, Residences and Gardens " shortly after
he took the throne as King in 1740. Knobelsdorff would be in charge of all major building
construction. They saw great importance in building a Berlin opera house. With Knobelsdorff
charged to construct it, Friedrich made such detailed plans for the structure that Knobelsdorff
credited the King with its design. Then, Knobelsdorff began constructing the Opera House on what
is now the "Unter den Linden" in the center of Berlin. Friedrich and Knobelsdorff were not without
their disputes. In 1743, Friedrich and Knobelsdorff coonstructed the "Stadtschloss", or City Palace
(destroyed) in Potsdam, and then Sanssouci, the summer residence in 1744.
true calling as an architect. Knobelsdorff became a personal friend of Crown Prince Friedrich, who
named Knobelsdorff "Superintendent of all Royal Palaces, Residences and Gardens " shortly after
he took the throne as King in 1740. Knobelsdorff would be in charge of all major building
construction. They saw great importance in building a Berlin opera house. With Knobelsdorff
charged to construct it, Friedrich made such detailed plans for the structure that Knobelsdorff
credited the King with its design. Then, Knobelsdorff began constructing the Opera House on what
is now the "Unter den Linden" in the center of Berlin. Friedrich and Knobelsdorff were not without
their disputes. In 1743, Friedrich and Knobelsdorff coonstructed the "Stadtschloss", or City Palace
(destroyed) in Potsdam, and then Sanssouci, the summer residence in 1744.
Friedrich the Great began The Neues Palais in Potsdam in 1763 after the
end of the Seven Years War and it was completed in 1769. It was
designed by architects Johann Gottfried Büring and Heinrich Ludwig
Manger and is the only surviving great baroque palace of Prussia. The
palace has over 200 rooms, with four principal meeting rooms and a
theater. Friedrich occupied a suite of rooms at one end of the building
during his occasional stays at the palace.
end of the Seven Years War and it was completed in 1769. It was
designed by architects Johann Gottfried Büring and Heinrich Ludwig
Manger and is the only surviving great baroque palace of Prussia. The
palace has over 200 rooms, with four principal meeting rooms and a
theater. Friedrich occupied a suite of rooms at one end of the building
during his occasional stays at the palace.
The middle portion was crowned with the Three Graces supporting the
royal crown atop an enormous dome, and the north and south auxiliary
wings capped with domes surmounted by gilded eagles. Over 400
sandstone statues and figures created by great artists adorned the palace
and its buildings. It's splendid royal apartments, grand staterooms and
massive halls had walls encrusted with shells, marble and semi-precious
stones with intricately designed marble floors, paintings, statuary,
elaborate fountains and cut crystal chandeliers.
royal crown atop an enormous dome, and the north and south auxiliary
wings capped with domes surmounted by gilded eagles. Over 400
sandstone statues and figures created by great artists adorned the palace
and its buildings. It's splendid royal apartments, grand staterooms and
massive halls had walls encrusted with shells, marble and semi-precious
stones with intricately designed marble floors, paintings, statuary,
elaborate fountains and cut crystal chandeliers.
Mirrored niches reflected light throughout the rooms and gilt, curved
ceilings with paintings and balconeys with intricate gilt iron railing
overlooked the halls from above. The grand theater lacks a royal box
because the King sat among his guests in the third row of seating from the
stage. The palace park was laid out with simple and natural pathways,
statuary, fountains and greenery.
ceilings with paintings and balconeys with intricate gilt iron railing
overlooked the halls from above. The grand theater lacks a royal box
because the King sat among his guests in the third row of seating from the
stage. The palace park was laid out with simple and natural pathways,
statuary, fountains and greenery.
Nearby were the Temple of Friendship and the Antique Temple. Sans Souci is located in the Royal
Park and had been completed just prior to Bach's visit in 1747. Once looted by Napoleon, the New
Palace became a museum after the First World War and contained art treasures from around the
world as well as Friedrich the Greats personal articles.
Park and had been completed just prior to Bach's visit in 1747. Once looted by Napoleon, the New
Palace became a museum after the First World War and contained art treasures from around the
world as well as Friedrich the Greats personal articles.
