Potsdam Between World Heritage and Innovation www.potsdam.de including city map State Capital Potsdam Island of Great Ideas Potsdam is a picturesque island amidst the extensive landscape of rivers and lakes in close proximity to Germany’s capital Berlin. Large parts of Potsdam’s historic city centre and its world famous palaces and gardens have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites as a magnificent work of art. Scenic views from the lakes of the river Havel towards the palaces and parks give us an idea why electors, kings and emperors once chose Potsdam as their royal residence. The city and its surroundings are a true paradise for water sports. Potsdam is the ideal base to explore the State of Brandenburg in all its diversity. For visitors from all over the world, Potsdam is the ideal starting point for their trips to the wonderful and often unspoiled Brandenburg landscapes. With its more than 175,000 inhabitants, the state capital Potsdam is the cultural, economic and political hub of Brandenburg. Science Einstein Tower of on Telegrafenberg (5) Campus New Palace of the University of Potsdam (4) Creates Future Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam-Babelsberg (2) in Potsdam-Babelsberg (1) Research and science are booming in dynamic profile is mainly characterized by Potsdam. Since the 19th century, scientific high-tech and software engineering. Science, history has been written here. The science park high-technology, research, education and culture ‘Albert Einstein’ is one of the oldest and most are working closely together here. The University significant locations of ist kind in Germany. The of Potsdam, the Film University Babelsberg Einstein Tower designed by the architect Erich KONRAD WOLF and the University of Applied Mendelsohn in the expressionistic style is an Sciences Potsdam are very popular with architectural sight. students. The science centre ‘Wissenschafts- The founding of the world´s first astrophysical etage’ in the educational institution observatory in 1874 and the founding of ‘Bildungsforum’ offers various opportunities to University of Potsdam in 1991 are symbolic for experience Potsdam’s scientific landscape the past and present in research and through exhibitions and events. The tropical education. The Potsdam-Golm Science Park botanical garden Potsdam Biosphere, the Hands-on museum Extavium (7) Historisches Linsenteleskop of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) (top) (6) and the Hasso Plattner Institute set new planetarium and the hands-on museum Scientific institutions have been established at Potsdam-Golm Science Park (bottom) (8) the square ‘Am Neuen Markt’ standards for the close connection between Extavium also convey impressions of the The square is also home to the richly decorated cabinet houses. (3) teaching and research. Nowadays, Potsdam’s world of science. 3 3 Studio Babelsberg is a film location for German and international film productions (12) Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and Film LocationPotsdam – actors / producers of Babelsberg productions: Christoph Waltz, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Andreas Dresen, Orlando Bloom, Nadja Uhl, Günter Reisch, Jutta Hoffmann, Volker Schlöndorff, Bibiana Beglau LegendaryBabelsberg (from left) (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) Award Ceremony for Potsdam director Andreas Dresen Bambi Award Ceremony for actor Christoph Waltz for his character in in Karlovy Vary (10) „Inglourious Basterds" in the Metropolis Hall in Potsdam-Babelsberg (9) Marlene Dietrich began her international career at the Babelsberg studios (19) Film location in Potsdam’s Dutch Quarter of the children's movie “Hexe Lilly” (20) The longstanding film studios in Potsdam The German film orchestra Babelsberg is the only Babelsberg have evolved into a modern media professional orchestra for film music in Germany. and high-tech centre. Filmpark Babelsberg is a visitors` magnet with its Where once film stars like Marlene Dietrich were many new and exciting attractions. acting, many international feature films are The Film Museum Potsdam located in the historic produced today – and they win awards in Berlin, ‘Marstall’ building in the city centre offers a varied Cannes and Hollywood. film program as well as interesting exhibitions Famous stars and renowned directors work in about the German film history. Stunt show in the “Volcano” of Filmpark Babelsberg (21) Film Museum Potsdam in the ‘Marstall’ front of and behind the cameras. Potsdam itself often becomes a filming location – building, the former Royal Stables of the City Palace (11) The imposing building of the Film University Potsdam is is made for the movies. Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF located in Medien- stadt (‘the media quarter’) points the way to Potsdam’s future. 4 4 The steam-powered pumping station in the style Encounter of a mosque at the Havel river (26) with Europe Gate Nauener Tor near the Dutch Quarter (23) Festivals in the Dutch Quarter (22) Church ‘Französische Kirche’ at the square 'Bassinplatz' (27) The Dutch Quarter (25) With the ‘Edict of Potsdam’ proclaimed in 1685, Around 1750, Frederick II initiated the construc- the Great Elector welcomed immigrants from tion of the quarter ‘Weberviertel’ with the church Europe to the Margraviate of Brandenburg. Since ‘Friedrichskirche’ at the square ‘Weberplatz’ in then, city quarters, buildings and parks have been Babelsberg for refugees from Bohemia. The city- characterized by international influences from scape is dominated by buildings like the church many countries. Today, a walk through Potsdam ‘Französische Kirche’, the steam-powered The Russian colony is part is like an excursion into history. King Frederick pumping station built in the style of a mosque of the UNESCO World Heritage (28) William I had the Dutch Quarter built by Dutch and many Italian-style architectural ensembles like craftsmen. It is the biggest remaining settlement church ‘St. Peter and Paul Kirche’, the artificial of that architectural style outside the Netherlands. ruins on the hill Ruinenberg and the Pfingstberg The Tulip Festival, the Potters Market and the Belvedere. The Swiss colonists’ village Nattwerder Dutch Sinterklaas Christmas Market have has also preserved its special character. Church ‘Friedrichskirche’ at square ‘Weberplatz’ in become traditional events. At the beginning of the The running event ‘ProPotsdam Schlösserlauf’ Potsdam-Babelsberg (24) leads through the Russian colony 19th century, the Russian colony ‘Alexandrovka’ ‘Alexandrovka‘ (29) became the new home of singers from Russia. 5 5 Landtag building under construction (2013) in front of the dome of St Nicholas Church (34) The historic City Palace (33) New City Centre with Historic Flair Potsdam Museum – Forum for Art and History, since 2012 Potsdam’s ‘Bildungsforum’ at the square ‘Platz der Einheit’ in the old town hall ‘Altes Rathaus’ at ‘Alter Markt’ (31) with a view of church ‘St. Nikolaikirche’ Potsdam’s urban development once began at tours into the picturesque surroundings at the old market square ‘Alter Markt’. Central to this harbour ‘Lange Brücke’. One of the most development was the City Palace, which was beautiful places in Potsdam is the destroyed in World War II. Thanks to the reconstructed market square ‘Neuer Markt’ with dedication and commitment of many citizens the House of Brandenburg-Prussian History. and sponsors of the state capital, the new Scientific institutions like the ‘Moses Mendels- parliament building, the Landtag of Branden- sohn Centre’ and the ‘Einstein Forum’ have burg, has been built here, using the architect established themselves in the neighbourhood. Knobelsdorff‘s historic plans ofr the former city For the planned reconstruction of the church palace for its façade. The ensembles of church ‘Garnisonkirche’, the foundation stone has Potsdam’s ‘Alter Markt’ with the Museum ‘St. Nikolai Kirche’ and the new Palais Barberini already been laid. At the square ‘Platz der Barberini (32) with the Museum Barberini as well as the Einheit’, the new centre for education and Potsdam Museum in the old town hall ‘Altes science ‘Bildungsforum’ has been built uniting Rathaus’ characterize the city’s skyline. and networking the the City and State Library, The Film Museum awaits its visitors in the the adult education centre ‘Volkshochschule’ ‘Marstall’ building - the former Royal Stables and the science institution‘Wissenschaftsetage’ of the City Palace. Excursion boats start their under one roof in Potsdam’s city centre. 6 6 Palaces and Gardens Charlottenhof Palace (36) Chinese House (35) Sanssouci Park The charming Sanssouci Palace was built on a This is illustrated by the Orangery Palace, the vineyard. Frederick II drew the construction Dragon House, the Historic Windmill and the sketches by his own hand for his master charming Chinese House. builder Knobelsdorff. The construction of the Charlottenhof Palace by Schinkel and the masterpiece was completed in only two years Roman Baths by Persius blend in harmoniously (1745-1747). In over a hundred years, a park with the English landscape garden created by was created that offers ever changing views Lenné. and impressions. The New Chambers, the Following extensive restoration works, the Picture Gallery and the New Palace - the last Belvedere on Klausberg and the artificial big palace complex of Prussian Baroque - antique ruins of ‘Ruinenberg’ are now once Sanssouci Palace with vineyard terraces, New Chambers and Picture Gallery (37) welcome Potsdam’s visitors. Sanssouci Park, again open to the public. one of the