See traditional plant halls extending along the wings of Orangery Palace, a stunning Renaissance-style mansion in historic Potsdam. Built at the request of Frederick William IV of Prussia, the mid-19th-century palace was intended to crown a grandly designed street that was never fully realized. Due to the political unrest at the time, only the Orangery Palace and its corresponding Triumph Gate were finished. These two structures offer a fascinating insight into the lavish style of design from the period, as well as the tastes of the “Romantic on the throne.”
Approaching the palace, you’ll see the main building with its two symmetrical towers. The palace’s design is reminiscent of the Villa Medici in Rome and the Uffizi in Florence. Catch a glimpse of the exterior of the Plant Hall and walk alongside the annex of the castle to spy allegorical figures within the building’s alcoves. These figures represent the seasons and the months.
Enter the building’s magnificent portico and see the vast Raffael Hall. Explore the naturally lit Museum Hall and see some of 50 copies of Renaissance paintings adorning the red silk on the walls. See decorative arts and sculptures in the Malachite Room.
Stroll around the palace grounds to admire its meticulously kept gardens. Designed in the style of Renaissance gardens, the mid-19th-century Paradise Garden features exotic flora and a pretty atrium. Walk around plots planted by the University of Potsdam in the Botanical Gardens and check out the dark pine trees of the Norse Garden. The Sicilian Garden stretches southward and features myrtles, laurels and fountains.
Orangery Palace is situated to the north of the magnificent royal complex of Sansoucci Park. It can be reached within 20 minutes on the local buses and trams that depart from Potsdam’s main train station. The palace has seasonal opening times. It is closed in the winter months and opens only on the weekends in April. Between May and October, it is open Tuesday to Sunday. At peak tourist times in the summer you can explore the palace at your own pace, otherwise access is only available during guided tours. The palace has an admission fee.
