Dear Potsdamers, dear guests of our state capital city,

Potsdam is actually an international city. Ever since the Great Elector issued his Potsdam edict inviting the Huguenots, who were being persecuted in France, to come and settle here, immigrants from the European neighboring states have come ever and again to visit Potsdam or to live and work here.

The cityscape of the state capital is an impressive reflection of this eventful development. Most striking are the Alexandrowka Russian colony, the Hollandische Viertel - Dutch Quarter, the Böhmische Weberviertel - Bohemian Weavers' Quarter and the Französische Kirche - the French church. But the influence from Italy is also clearly visible, particularly in the architecture.

People living in the small town quarter of Nattwerder are proud of their ancestors who once came here from Switzerland. Craftsmen from many countries were involved in the design and construction of the Potsdam palaces. For example, at one time, it was plasterers from Switzerland who crafted the ornate ceilings and inlays, and in recent times, restorers from Poland helped to renovate the valuable buildings.

Potsdam wants to preserve its international character - as an attractive destination for outings and tourists from all over the world, as an accommodating host for conferences and congresses, and as a reliable friend of those cities with whom Potsdam maintains partnership relations. Potsdam has sister-city relations with seven cities in Europe and in the USA. The spectrum of these cities is as diverse as is their history. The history of settlements in Perugia dates back to the times of the Etruscans. Bonn also can view back on its development of more than 2,000 years.

In comparison, Sioux Falls in the US state of South Dakota and the central Finnish Jyväskylä were founded only in the middle of the 19th century. Lucerne and Opole already were important places of settlements and trade many centuries ago, and Bobigny looks back upon a history which began in the 3rd century.

Potsdam's partnership relations are full of life. They thrive from the personal engagement of our citizens and on the ideas contributed by partnership associations, schools, and artists.
I cordially invite you to get involved in the arrangements of the sister-city partnerships. It's a lot of fun to find new friends and to inspire them with enthusiasm for our city.

Jann Jakobs
Lord Mayor

 

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• Die Partnerstädte der Landeshauptstadt Potsdam
• The sister cities of the federal Sate Capital Potsdam
• Les villes jumelées avec Potsdam
• Miasta partnerskie Poczdamu.
• Le città gemellate con Potsdam
• Potsdamin ysävyyskaupungit