Sanssouci and Cecilienhof...

Potsdam was Frederick the Great's favourite haunt. Frederick the Great first chose Potsdam as a location where he thought he would like to cultivate plums, figs and vines. In 1744, he had a terraced garden designed in Sanssouci Park for this purpose. The king subsequently changed his mind when he realised the exceptional beauty of the view and the idea of a large summer residence above the terraces replaced the fruit orchard.

Potsdam suffered heavy bombing during WWII and the city was badly damaged. Towards the end of WWII, the Potsdam Conference took place here with Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin meeting at Schloss Cecilienhof. The meeting was to establish a strategy for post-war Germany, i.e. the establishment of occupation and demilitarization zones and the monitoring of Germany to ensure a balance of power in Europe.

Today Potsdam is the capital of Brandenburg province and a popular tourist destination. In addition to its rich history, some interesting sights to visit here include Schloss Sanssouci, Schloss Cecilienhof and the Russian colony of Alexandrowka. Then there re are also many gardens and parks to stroll around.