berlin

Around Town – Potsdam & Sanssouci
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Left Schloss Babelsberg Centre Alexandrowka-Haus Right Wasserwerk Sanssouci
Best of the Rest
Alexandrowka
A detour to the Russian
colony in Potsdam feels like a
journey to Russia itself. Decorated
log cabins with picturesque
gardens were built here in 1826
for a Russian military choir.
d Russische Kolonie/Puschkinallee
Wasserwerk Sanssouci
This building, resembling a
mosque with minarets, houses
the water pumping station for
Schlosspark Sanssouci. The
ancient pump, dating from 1842,
can be inspected in the building.
d Breite Str. • mid-May–mid-Oct: 10am–
5pm Sat, Sun • (0331) 969 42 01
Telegrafenberg
If you’re prepared to climb
telegraph hill, you could visit the
elegant Einstein tower at the
top. It was designed in 1920
by Erich Mendelssohn for the
observation of the sun. d Albert-
Einstein-Str. • Guided tours Einsteinturm:
(0331) 29 17 41 • Admission charge
Schloss Babelsberg
Built by Schinkel in 1833–-5,
this Gothic palace is situated in
an idyllic park on the banks of
the Havel River. d Park Babelsberg
• Apr–Oct: 10am–12:30pm, 1–5pm
Tue–Sun; Nov–Mar: 10am–4pm Sat, Sun
• (0331) 969 42 50 • Admission charge
Potsdam-Museum
A small museum presenting
the history of the town of Potsdam,
from prehistoric times to
the present day. The museum is
based in the historic Hiller-
Brandtsche Häuser.
d Breite Str. 8–12 • 9am–5pm Tue–Sun
• (0331) 289 66 00 • Admission charge
Altes Rathaus
The old town hall, built in
1753, is decorated with sculptures
and Potsdam’s coat of arms
– two gilded Atlas figures, each
carrying a globe. d Am Alten Markt
Luisenplatz
This small square with its
plain, restored buildings gives a
good impression of Potsdam in
the early 19th century.
d Luisenplatz
Französische Kirche
In 1752, Johann Boumann
built this elliptical Huguenot
church with its giant columned
portico, while Schinkel designed
the beautiful interior in the
1830s. d Am Bassinplatz • 2:30–5pm
Tue–Sun • (0331) 29 12 19
St-Peter-und-Paul-Kirche
The Catholic church of
saints Peter and Paul, modelled
on Haghia Sophia in Istanbul,
was built in 1867–70 by Stüler.
d Am Bassinplatz • by prior arrangement
• (0331) 230 79 90
Brandenburger Tor
The most attractive of five
former town gates was built by
Gontard and Unger in 1770 in
the Neo-Classical style to celebrate
Prussian victory in the
Seven Years’ War. d Luisenplatz