Potsdam — Uncover the Soldier King's Secret

Your quest begins at Potsdam's Alter Markt, in front of the imposing Saint Nicholas Church. This central square, completely destroyed in 1945 then rebuilt from 1993 according to its original 18th-century plans, was the former seat of Prussian royal power before the construction of the Sanssouci palaces by Frederick II. The Saint Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche), built between 1750 and 1837 under the impetus of Frederick II and completed by Karl Philipp Foerster and Karl Friedrich Schinkel, features an 80-meter high dome, visible from the Lange Brücke, an architectural symbol of the city of Potsdam. It is here, in the heart of this German cultural heritage, that the first clues of your mission materialize.

Then cross the Havel via the Lange Brücke, a modern bridge from the 1990s that replaced the old bridge destroyed in 1945. Approximately 150 meters long, it offers a strategic viewpoint over the Brandenburg Landtag and the historic banks. This bridge, a key element of urban traffic since the 17th century, leads you towards the Jägertor. This fortified city gate, built in 1733 in a Prussian Baroque style, was the historical western entrance to Potsdam. Restored after 1945, it is decorated with royal symbols and hunting (Jagd) emblems of the Prussian crown, marking the entrance to one of Frederick William I's most unique achievements.

Potsdam's Holländisches Viertel, a unique 3-hectare district, welcomes you with its 135 characteristic red brick houses. Built between 1733 and 1742 by order of Frederick William I to attract Dutch artisans, this district, completely restored after 1945, retains its 18th-century urban structure with its cobbled streets and canals. It is a striking example of Prussian Baroque architecture influenced by the Netherlands. Your investigation then leads you to the Brandenburger Tor of Potsdam, a fortified gate erected between 1770 and 1771 by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, commemorating Frederick II's victories during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763).

Continue towards the Garnisonkirche, a Prussian military church whose construction, initiated by Frederick William I between 1735 and 1753, was also the work of Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. Its 67-meter square tower, visible from afar, was a place for Prussian officers to take oaths. Partially restored after 1945, its tower was rebuilt between 2002 and 2015, testifying to the importance of this 18th-century Prussian historical monument. The route ends at the Neues Palais, Frederick II's summer residence, built between 1763 and 1769 after the Seven Years' War. With its 213-meter facade and 200 rooms, this German Rococo palace houses an original princely theater and a collection of over 300 sculptures, marking the zenith of Frederick the Great's reign.

Through this thematic circuit in Potsdam, you have uncovered the secrets of a city shaped by two builder kings, Frederick William I and Frederick II. You have explored the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam, discovering Prussian Baroque architecture and German Rococo. This interactive tour of Potsdam with family or friends has allowed you to understand the history of Potsdam through its monuments and anecdotes, from the reconstructions of the Alter Markt to the grandeur of the Neues Palais. This augmented reality GPS scavenger hunt leaves you with an intimate understanding of this Prussian royal residence, a major tourist site in Brandenburg-Berlin.