The Belvedere on the Pfingstberg, or Belvedere auf dem Pfingstberg in German, was based on grander designs by King Frederick William IV. It is now considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Potsdam. Previously known as Judenberg, the hill where the palace is now located was purchased by the royal household in 1817. Largely because of its magnificent views, the construction of a belvedere was originally envisioned by then regent Frederick William II. Once plans for the building were made public, there was a sharp rise in land prices and the project was put on hold.
Frederick William IV was known for his love of art and took up the idea of building the Belvedere on the crown’s land. Today's Belvedere on the Pfingstberg in Potsdam is largely based on a draft made by the king himself. The project was led by architects Ludwig Persius, Ludwig Ferdinand Hesse and Friedrich August Stüler. The Belvedere on the Pfingstberg reflects an Italian Renaissance style, with which the then regent had previously fell in love with during a trip to the southern European country. The building is particularly influenced by Rome's beautiful Villa Caprarola.The construction of the palace was carried out in two phases between 1847 and 1863. Frederick William IV died two years before the Belvedere on the Pfingstberg was completed and never saw the project in its final state, largely because of a long interruption in the building’s construction between 1852 and 1860 due to financial problems. At the same time as the Belvedere was under construction, work on the Orangery took priority. The full vision of the king was not fully implemented and today's Belvedere on the Pfingstberg is a stand-alone building rather than the large complex envisioned by Frederick William IV.
The Belvedere on the Pfingstberg is part Potsdam’s rich collection of palaces and gardens. Overlooking the city, the building has two distinctive towers that each houses magnificent halls. The courtyard is surrounded by colonnades and has a large pool that supplies the fountains in the New Garden. Access to the palace is via a broad, representative staircase. The entire ensemble was extensively renovated in recent years and is now in excellent condition. The picturesque location makes the building one of the most popular attractions of the city.- Daily: 10:00 - 18:00 clock
- Daily: 10:00 - 20:00 clock
- Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00 clock
Events in Potsdam
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Music Festival in PotsdamThe Music Festival in Potsdam will be held again in June. This year's theme "Music and gardens" ubiquitous. So even on the opening day in June. Interesting and unique you can take guided tours and visits to many different places. For those interested there is an Opera Workshop.
TICKETSDetails about the Music Festival in Potsdam can be found here.
The concert on the eve and Night of the Palaces in PotsdamThe Park of Sanssouci and Sanssouci Palace with its terraced vineyards and the New Palace are undisputedly the most important monuments in Potsdam, therefore provides the Night of the Palaces as an excellent temporal orientation, to learn more about the state capital of Brandenburg.
TICKETSDetails about the Night of the Palaces can be found here.