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Offered languages
- English
Experience the beauty, fascination and drama of the life and times of Prussia's legendary king Frederick the Great in his beloved refuge, Sanssouci park. What does the park and its attractions tell us about Frederick's life? What did his sadistic father, Frederick William I, do to him when he was growing up and how did it affect him? Why did he send his wife away? Was he gay? What made him so great, anyway? What's the story with Frederick's grave in Sanssouci? Who's buried next to him? And why in the world do people leave potatoes on his grave? Come to Sanssouci and let me give you all the answers! I have not only given tours of the park for many years, but I also live closeby and spend a lot of my free time there, either jogging or just marveling at the beauty of it all. You won't find another English-speaking guide who can give you such a personal and intimate tour of Sanssouci, including many hidden gems there that most travelers never get to see.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Go to the fountain at Luisenplatz and look for a man holding the sign "Sanssouci Tour."
After the tour, you can either try to get tickets to see the palace from the inside, or take Bus 695 back to Potsdam Main Station.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Experience the beauty and fascination of Sanssouci, northern Germany's most famous palace park, once the summer home of Prussia's best-known king, Frederick the Great. See not just the highlights but also the hidden gems most travelers miss, for instance the Church of Peace, the Chinese House, the Picture Gallery, the New Chambers, the Belvedere, and much more! Along the way, you'll learn about the life and times of Frederick the Great. You'll not only see his favorite getaway, Sanssouci, but also his final resting place nearby. But what made Frederick so great? What terrible things happened to him in his youth to make him long for a place where he could live "without worry?" Why did he send his wife away? Was he gay? Was he a genius general and a good king? Who is buried next to him? And why do people lay potatoes on his grave? Come to Sanssouci and find out! IMPORTANT! Check my availability before booking!
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
A striking example of "Chinoiserie," the China mode of the early modern era.
Admission ticket free -
Friedenskirche (Pass by)
This is where a very young Frederick the Great first discovered the area that would one day become his beloved Sanssouci park. In 1848, the beautiful neo-romanesque "Church of Peace" was built here, the court and burial church of Frederick's great grandnephew, the "Romantic King" Frederick William IV.
Admission ticket free -
Orangerie im Park Sanssouci (Pass by)
The "Orangery," where the 1,000 tropical plants of Sanssouci park are kept over the winter, is a magnificent example of Frederick William IV's love of Italy, modeled on the Villa Medici in Rome and the Uffizi palace in Florence.
Admission ticket free -
Sanssouci Picture Gallery (Pass by)
Frederick the Great's Picture Gallery was one of the first free-standing galleries in Europe. Inside are some 150 works of Flamish and Italian baroque painting, including Caravaggio's "Doubting Thomas."
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The "New Chambers " were originally the old orangery of Sanssouci, later converted to a royal guest house. Inside you can see magnificent marble floors and the "Ovid Gallery," a festival hall decorated with golden reliefs depicting the amorous adventures of the ancient gods.
Admission ticket free -
New Palace (Pass by)
This stunning late-barqoue palace celebrates Frederick the Great's triumph in the Seven Years War, the conflict that made Prussia a force to be reckoned with. Inside visitors can see the stunning "Grotto Hall," decorated with thousands of seashellls and precious stones, as well as the jaw-dropping "Marble Hall."
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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