Sanctuary of a Prussian King: Germany’s Palace of Sanssouci

The garden side of Sanssouci is the most famous view of the palace, with its six-fold sweep of the staircase. The one-story level façade on the upper plateau of a vineyard provides the perfect stage for the Rococo lifestyle, close to nature. The structure stands apart from multi-level extravagant Baroque palaces that act as a representation of power. With permission © SPSG / Hans Bach

No other palace represents the personality of Frederick the Great as much as the magnificent Sanssouci. Originally designed as a summer residence near Potsdam (now Germany), it represents Frederick’s ideals through its elegant Rococo architecture.

Sanssouci (“without care”) wasn’t only Frederick’s favorite place to stay but also his retreat and sanctuary. Built between 1745 and 1747 by architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff according to the king’s sketches, the palace features an impressive park with unique decorative features.