Visits
History of the City
Potsdam was first mentioned in a document of King Otto III on July 3,993 - as a gift to the Abbess of the Quedlinburg convent. The then "Poztupimi" consisted of a Slavic castle with adjacent settlements. It was located opposite the confluence of the Nuthe and the Havel rivers, in the area of today's senior citizens' home.
The Potsdam World Heritage Sites
In 1990, UNESCO decided to include the palaces and parks of Potsdam and Berlin on its World Heritage list, doing so on January 1, 1991. The former East German and West German governments submitted the application in 1989.
Old Market Square and Friendship Island
This area along the Havel river not only was the origin of the town, but also the historic city center until its destruction during World War II. The Old Market was the architectural center. The Stadtschloss (City Palace), Rathaus (town hall) and Nikolaikirche (Nikolai Church) established important architectural accents to which the rest of the city was connected.
From the New Market Square to the City Canal
Until the 18th century, Potsdam covered only a small area. On one side it was bordered by the Havel river. At that time, the city border almost ran along today's Heilig-Geist-Straße (Holy Ghost Street), the Straße Am Kanal, Yorckstraße, and Dortustraße .
Along the Breite Straße
In 1668, the Dutchman Langelaer laid out an avenue starting from the west side of the City Palace running parallel to its ground plan, which originally ran all the way to Golm. Starting in 1671, this avenue was built out to the Neustädter Tor - New City Gate as "The Elector's Privilege".
Between the Brandenburg and Nauen Gates
We can read the following lines written by Friedrich Nicolai in 1786: "As is well known, King Frederick William had a particular love for this town. Under his reign began the glorious period for Potsdam. He had two large sections added to the town, and benefited it immensely by stationing his soldiers there, by developing many industries, and by his own almost permanent presence."
Platz der Einheit, Bassinplatz Squares and the Dutch Quarter
You can reach Platz der Einheit square by tram from the Potsdam Main Rail Station.
The Platz der Einheit (Unity Square) is one of the places in town which emerged in the 18th century because the swampy terrain was not arable, and thus couldn't be used for the town extensions in any other way.
Recommended Destinations
Schiffbauergasse
Along the banks of the Tiefer See Lake, opposite Babelsberg Park, a very special project is under development at the Schiffbauergasse (Ship Builders Lane) - an integrated cultural and business site.
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