ÐÔÊÓ½ç

Welcome back to… Potsdam! On we go with our tour through the capital of Brandenburg. Once again we cross the Glienicker Brücke to get there. Having discussed its historical importance already, we can simply enjoy its beauty this time.

We are not saving the best for last this time: here comes one of Potsdam´s main attractions, the . The nearly 150 houses were built at the beginning of the 18th century for dutch builders working for King Frederick William I. We thank him in our minds having some poffertjes and koffie in one of the lovely cafés and restaurants of the vivid neighbourhood.

On our way to the city centre we pass by gate of 1755. The current building site reminds us of the effort it took the people of Potsdam to renovate all of the historic buildings of the city after the fall of the wall. Some buildings, palaces and streets seem so perfectly restored they could pass for a Brandenburg Disneyland.

Unlike the , whose renovation has been generating controversy for years now, catholic church St. Peter and Paul seems unimpressed by the turn of time.

Before we go on admiring historical sites and modern villas, we allow our eyes to take a small break. Potsdam is an astonishingly green city, just like our beloved ÐÔÊÓ½ç, with countless parks and beautiful gardens.

We carry on in the direction of the Brandenburg Gate (yes, you read correctly!) and catch a short glimpse of church . The 42 meters high dome offers a superb view on the city and the surrounding lakes as well as the river Havel. The greek-seeming columns almost make us forget we are still in Germany. 

By the way: right next to it, you find , that keeps getting the visitors´ attention with the big names of the art scene. For example the museum is proud owner of – the largest collection in Europe outside Paris.

Now it is finally time to raise the curtain for… ! The gate was built on behalf of Frederick the Great and thus the first of our two Brandenburg Gates. Frederick William II. might have been inspired by his uncle´s decadent taste sixty years later for the plans of . Thank you, Potsdam!

Speaking of Frederick the Great, is just a stone-throw away from here. The worldfamous summer refuge at the wine terraces hasn´t lost any of its royal charmes.

What we find especially impressing are the marvellous surrounding the castle. Here´s to the armada of gardeners, who must be caring for the place!sions, exhibitions and workshops all over the capital (, photographed by © Ronnie Vero Wagner Photography).

Being in the area already we also visit the at the end of the Palace Park. We highly recommend seing a play or maybe an opera at the – how about ““ in November? 

But talking about vintage buildings we don´t have to hide, either. And our round about 110 year old is just the place we are returning to now. Until the next time, when it is once more: “Welcome back to BERLIN!“