Berlin Diary ~ Day 6

We're closing in on the last two days of our tour of Berlin, and today we're taking the train to  beautiful Potsdam.  Potsdam is a quaint little city about 20 miles southeast of Berlin, summer home of Friedrich the Great and his descendants as well as the site of the Potsdam Conference at the end of World War II.

The train's leaving, so hop aboard with us!

The front of the Sans Souci, summer palace of Friendrich the Great of Prussia

 Interesting is that Friedrich was influenced by many different cultures...French, Dutch, Asian, and the Ancients.  Here is a view from the front of the palace looking out to what appears to be ancient ruins...he had them built just for the view!

The back of the palace

"without worry"

Friedrich is credited with introducing the potato to Prussia and those saving the people from a Great Famine

He was also quite enchanted with himself!  This bust sits in the garden along with those of  Roman emperors

fantastic view from the gardens, which were modeled after those at Versailles.  You're looking at the back of the palace

a scenic moment in the gardens, with a view of an Asian-inspired gazebo

Peace Church and bell tower

entry to Peace Church

an entry/exit to the church grounds, small enough so that everyone has to bow to get through...a small act of humility

Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate....everyone has one!

After touring the palace we walked through town where the Dutch influence was apparent.

Prussian Army helmets

Children's Orphanage

Havel River along the Marley Gardens

Schotzie huggin' a tree in Marley Gardens

 Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, a direct descendant of Friedrich the Great, erected this palace for his son, Crown Prince Wilhelm of Germany and his wife Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.  The palace was named in the Duchess' honor.

the royal family lived  here from 1917 until 1945, when the Red Army closed in and took over the palace

Churchill, Truman, and Stalin

the red star of flowers was  a later addition by the  Soviets

the children's garden

children's garden and royal family quarters

the Conference room

 The day was coming to an end and we headed back to Berlin...dinner at the Alt Berliner Biersalon on the Kurfurstendamm...delicious and fun atmosphere!

Next Monday I'lll wrap up our trip with Day 7, our last full day in Berlin.  I'm so happy to have you travel along with me as I re-live these fabulous memories.  Thank you for taking the time, dear friends.  Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Karen