Travel
How Sanssouci Palace Revealed An Important Traveller’s Lesson
Follow the Path of a Carefree Day Exploring Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam
Without worries.
That’s the goal of travel, is it not?
Sanssouci, Frederick the Great’s summer escape, lives up to its French name, which translates to “without worries or carefree.” It promised a beautiful haven for the Prussian king, burdened by the weight of his crown.
Yet, for any traveller in Potsdam, achieving that state within a single day feels like a king-sized challenge.
Potsdam, a charming German city just a 30-minute train ride from Berlin, offers visitors sprawling gardens, multiple palaces, an elegant Old Town, a delightful Dutch quarter, and an intriguing Russian district. This is just a tiny taste of what this beautiful city has to offer its visitors.
You don’t visit Versailles without seeing the Palace of Versailles.
The same rings true for Potsdam; Germany’s Versailles is Sanssouci Palace, built from 1745 to 1747. Often counted among the German rivals of Versailles, Sanssouci reflects Frederick the Great’s desire for a retreat away from court etiquette where he could relax and pursue his interests like music, philosophy, and wine-making. This carefree spirit permeates the palace’s design.
Frederick the Great was more than just a visionary; he was the architect, sketching the initial design himself. The result? A unique “Frederician Rococo” style that reflects the king’s own aesthetic sensibilities.
Step inside, and prepare to be awestruck. The Marble Hall, Concert Room, and Voltaire Room are Rococo delights. Intricate stucco work, delicate wood carvings, and vibrant frescoes transport you to a world of refinement, a reflection of Frederick’s discerning taste.
But it didn’t end there. He meticulously planned the palace’s location, rising from terraced vineyards. These slopes, a testament to his foresight, create a picturesque landscape that feels anything but ordinary, unlike other royal palaces of the time.
Don’t rush.
The details here are overwhelmingly beautiful. Savour the king’s vision by slowing down as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Forget the pressure to conquer every corner of its sprawling 500 hectares. Even the lawnmowers here are a leisurely bunch — gentle herds of sheep graze contentedly, keeping the meadows trim.
Let your exploration be as slow as possible, savouring the moment, one delightful discovery at a time. Are you more drawn to the Norse Garden, with the scent of pines, the sun-dappled Sicilian Garden where palm trees sway, or the Paradise Garden where exotic blooms await you?
This isn’t the only architectural gem to grace the Palace grounds.
A tireless visionary, Frederick the Great continued the further expansion. The later years of his reign saw the addition of the New Palace, in an elegant Baroque style. The following generations of royalty continued the tradition. Frederick William IV, enthroned in 1840, had the Neue Kammern (New Chambers) built to accommodate guests and the Picture Gallery in 1846 to display his esteemed art collection.
The sprawling grounds eventually welcomed even more structures, including Charlottenhof Palace, the Orangery, and the Roman Baths. Each new addition, reflecting the architectural trends of its time, served as a place of retreat and relaxation for many of Europe’s nobility and royalty to come and enjoy.
Follow your interests, not where the crowds take you.
This is the essence of slow travel, a philosophy much like Frederick the Great’s vision. Give up the notion of trying to see it all, because you can’t.
That pressure we put on ourselves as travellers is unnecessary stress.
While visiting Sanssouci, I was reminded of this profound lesson — the beauty of slow travel. Following Frederick’s lead, I gave up the idea of trying to see it all in one day. Instead, I followed my own curiosity and didn’t feel the pressure to follow the crowd.
Remember Sanssouci’s name — “without worries.” Let this philosophy guide your travels, just like it guided Frederick the Great, and discover the joy of a truly carefree adventure.
Enhance your European travel adventures and download my “15 Practical Tips to Slow Travel”.
