CHARLOTTENBURG PALACE

Elector Frederick III (known from 1701 as Frederick I, King of Prussia) had this humble holiday residence built in 1695 for his wife, Queen Sophie-Charlotte. The pavilion underwent successive enlargements, according to the wishes of the various monarchs, to become the largest surviving residence of the Hohenzollern family. In addition to the historical aspect and the architectural beauty of the building, a long walk through the garden is also very pleasant.

Former wing. This is the central section of the place, which is also the oldest and most authentic (a large part of the castle was damaged during the bombing in 1945). It contains the rooms of the first residents of the castle, Sophie-Charlotte of Hanover and her husband, the Elector. Recently, there is a new permanent exhibition in the central part of the castle entitled "Das Preußische Königshaus", the royal house of Prussia, which focuses on the history of the Hohenzollern family. Here you will find crowns, sceptres, swords and other royal insignia. The story of the family's rise from the first Nuremberg Margraves to the last German emperors is told through numerous paintings and portraits.

New wing. The other attraction of the castle is the west wing, the former headquarters of Frederick the Great, where you can discover his collection of paintings dating from the 18th century. Also discover the White Room, a jewel of the rococo style. On the ground floor of this part is another collection devoted to German Romantics, such as Caspar David Friedrich and the inevitable Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who also gave his name to a pavilion in the park he initiated, the Schinkel Pavilion, a summer residence built in 1825. A wide range of his work can be seen there: sculptures, paintings, sketches and porcelain.

The bridge Hohe BrückeIn the park, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the castle, ideal for the most beautiful photos. Another pavilion, the Belvedere, a tea house built in 1788 by Langhans, architect of the Brandenburg Gate, offers a beautiful collection of porcelain from the 18th and 19th centuries (among others the famous KPM porcelain, Königliche Porzellanmanufaktur Berlin), on three floors.

The castle mausoleum houses the tombs of Queen Louise, Frederick William III, William I and Empress Augusta.