The Orangery in Potsdam, located along the northern edge of Park Sanssouci, was created in accordance with sketches penned by King William IV. The construction phase was unusually long, extending from 1851 to 1864. This is due to the King’s hesitations with regards to the centre building on the hand; to his ill health as of 1858 on the other.
The construction was carried out under the supervision of the architects Friedrich August Stüler and Ludwig Ferdinand Hess, both of whom essentially adhered to the ides of King William and created the Orangery in the style of the Italian Renaissance. At over 300m in length it is the longest building at Park Sanssouci in the former residence city of Potsdam. The Orangery has two side wings, which to this day are used to house a number of Potsdam’s public offices as well as some of the more sensitive plants of the park during winter.
The impressive central building of the Orangery is dominated by the Raffael Hall, a two-story central hall which harbours 50 copies of paintings of the famous renaissance painter, effectively presented in golden frames over red silk damask. The hall has always been open to the public and therefore represents not only one of the most important museum spaces at Park Sanssouci or Potsdam generally, but in the whole of Germany. The central building also has numerous offices and living quarters, all sumptuously equipped and decorated with works of art.
Guests here in Potsdam include the Tsar’s widow and sister of the Emperor, Charlotte, and the Italian king. The Orangery is without a doubt an impressive and rewarding example of Prussian architecture.
- Monday - Friday: Closed
- Saturday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00 clock
- Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00 clock
- Saturday: Closed
- Monday - March: Closed
- Last entering 30 minutes before closing time.
Events in Potsdam
ticket sales
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.