Frederick the Great, Friedrich der Große, “Old Fritz”, wanted a summer palace where he could relax, escape and have Sans Souci, or “no worries”, as well as time at a summer vineyard, with the company of like minded intellectuals like Voltaire, who called him a “philosopher-king”. The rococo opulence, gold covered interior with marble and porcelain and intricate wood carvings was a delight to the eyes. Sans Souci was built around 1740-1750 in the rococo style, a large, one story, multiple room small palace.
Frederick commissioned his own ancient ruins that he could gaze upon from the front lawn. Imagine that! Frederick was more likely to spend time with his dogs than people, it seems, and speak French rather than German. Children in town today are inclined to leave potatoes on his rather plain grave marker. The Germans do love their potatoes.
From Sans Souci we went to Schloss Celilienhof, also in Potsdam. This is a UNESCO site which means we got a history and culture tour during our visit.
The Schloss or Schloß (chateau, palace or manor house) had many chimneys, most of which were decorative and not functional! I was fascinated by the many designs made of bricks and clay. The blue sky helped bring out the color and details well. Each was a different design, shape and texture. It was a fantasy-like adventure to gaze up and look at the different chimneys. But that is not all that Celienhof had to say about itself.
Schloss Cecilienhof was the site of the meeting between the US, Great Britain and Stalin to discuss what would be done with Germany when Hitler was defeated.
