Old Market Square and Friendship Island

Obelisk

The almost 20-meter-high obelisk on the Old Market was built based on a sketch by von Knobelsdorff between 1753 and 1755. It was originally decorated with medallions displaying the portraits of the electors and kings, Frederick William, Frederick I, Frederick William I, and Frederick II. After it was damaged during the war, the column was removed in 1969, but reconstructed in 1978-79 using original elements. Now eminent master-builders of Potsdam's history are depicted on the medallions: von Knobelsdorff, Gontard, Schinkel and Persius.