POTSDAM
History
History I
Sightseeing I
Practical I Hotels in Potsdam
The hamlet of
"Poztupimi" was first
mentioned in a deed-of-gift document signed by Otto III dated 993 AD. As
a city, Potsdam has existed since about the 13th century.
From 1660, Potsdam gained renown as residence of the Prince Electors of
Brandenburg. With his "Edict of Potsdam" (1685), Frederick William, the
Great Elector, codified the spirit of tolerance for which the city is
famous. It guaranteed asylum to Huguenot emigrés and guaranteed
religious freedom in the Brandenburg territories. The actual development
of Potsdam into a garrison town and royal residence in grand style began
in 1713. From then on, three new churches – the Church of St. Nicholas,
Holy Ghost Church and the Garrison Church – became hallmark features of
the city's silhouette.
Potsdam owes its expansion as prestigious residence of the Hohenzollern
monarchs to
Frederick the Great. The creations of his reign still define
the character of the city, for he was a patron of culture and the arts.
The world-renowned
Palace of Sanssouci
(1745-47) with Sanssouci Park
arose under his aegis. Further attractions of the park include the New
Palace, Schinkel's Charlottenhof Palace and the Chinese Tea House.
Also an intrinsic part of the heritage of Potsdam, which has been
declared an historic monument by UNESCO, are the New Garden with
Cecilienhof Palace and its memorial to the Potsdam Conference, as well
as Babelsberg Park with the one-time residence of Emperor William I. The
landscape architect Lenné made of Potsdam a unique scenic park.
Encircled by numerous Havel lakes, the city is virtually an island in
their midst. With their wooded and reed-covered banks, they form a
beautifully picturesque landscape of waterways.
(Courtesy
:
The historic
highlights of Germany.)
