Baroque, iconic, and opulent, the Palace of Versailles may be the most famous royal complex in the worldβwith the crowds to prove it. On busy days the wait to get in can be up to two hours.
But Marie Antoinette's homestead is not the only jaw-dropping palace in Europe. Travelers should consider a visit to Potsdam, Germany, a town 30 minutes from Berlin. There they will find Sanssouci, another lavishly appointed palace located on more than acres β-rivaling New York's Central Park in size. The landscaping uniquely combines both French and English garden styles. Known as the "Prussian Versailles," the palace and grounds were built for Frederick the Great , the King of Prussia between and Though smaller in scale, Sanssouci possesses the same visual extravagance as its larger French cousin, but minus the hordes.
Ironically, the Potsdam palace's name, Sanssouci, is French, not German, and means "without worry. Frederick ruled Prussia as an enlightened autocrat. While a commanding military strategist, he had a sensitive side and was an accomplished musician and writer. Frederick is also credited with agricultural advances and introduced the potato to Germany.
Reflecting Frederick's artistic side and need for a private sanctuary, Sanssouci is more intimate than the sprawling Versailles and more personal. However, such restraint is not immediately evident to modern eyes. The single-story place painted yellow stretches across a hilltop, boasting 12 large rooms and a fairy-tale setting.
The rooms showcase Rococo ornamentation, featuring gilded stucco, intricate wood carvings, and paintings. The unique design is not only beautiful but had practical applications. Frederick used the terraces to cultivate figs, grapes, and other fruits. Travelers shouldn't miss the Bildergalerie , an ornate building housing the royal art collection with paintings by artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, and Caravaggio.
