Potsdam and all things Prussian

For once I have no idea where to start when it comes to Potsdam and Sanssouci Palace and Gardens. This is like no other place we have ever been too and it seems to have such a magic feeling about it that kept drawing us back (also the fact we bought a monthly ticket to see these incredible palaces).
Potsdam is a gorgeous city just outside of Berlin, but is considered a must see! As you walk down the cobble stoned street you are confronted by gorgeous architecture of the time with great green domes coupled with crumbling, concrete buildings reminiscent of the East. However as time goes on (even from when I was here in 2005) the original buildings are being restored to the former glory which outshine that of which does not fit in. We are delighted by the red crispness of the Dutch Quarter which was built for the Dutch craftsmen brought in to build the Prussian Palaces. Potsdam has a great shopping strip with a great atmosphere and lots of fab restaurants, cafes and best of all cheap donar kebabs!!!

Sanssouci itself is an example of decadence in its finest form! Nothing has been left without thought and exquisite detail included in absolutely everything on these grounds from the dirt to the sky. It was built by Fredrick the Great as a summer residence where he wined and dined his happy go lucky friends. Fredrick's wife was not welcome at this palace so you may draw your own conclusions.
Included in the gardens are a couple of other palaces, an art gallery, an orangerie (that of which stores the fruit trees over winter), a roman bath house and acres of garden winding through high walled hedges hiding marble statues. Precious stones and minerals were sought for the interiors from the walls to the table tops - like Lapis Lazuli, an intense blue stone that inspired the colours of fabric for the walls and furnishings to the dinnerware.
I can keep writing on and on about how fabulous this place is but alas I'm afraid that it is just one of those places that you HAVE to see before you die! No description can give it justice nor can photo's, but I've popped them up anyway (in no particular order) LOL

Julie and the kids in front of the Chinese Tea House. This location was supposedly off limits to the womenfolk, my question is who made the tea then?

The New Palace, as if the old Palace wasn't opulent enough. Contained lots of amazing guestrooms decorated in beautiful Rococo fashion. Currently under renovation, but still very impressive.The most amazing room is the Grotto Hall, an massive room who's walls are completely covered with seashells and crystals.

Another view of the exterior of the new Palace. Abosolutely massive this one, containing over 200 rooms.

The Orangery Palace, was originally used to house Orange trees during the winter months and was later converted into guest houses to house the King and his guests.

I wanna hold your han-a-nan-a-nan-a-nand, I wanna hold your hand.

The Garden and exterior of San Souci Palace. This is the most impressively restored palace of the Potsdam region. Unfortunately no photos are allowed of the interiors so, you just have to google it. Make sure you visit if you are ever in the area.

The Gardens were just as impressive as the palaces themselves.

Exterior of San Souci Palace

The Historic Windmill. Comissioned by the King in the fashion of the Dutch windmills of the period. Very beautiful to watch the turning sails, and we were able to climb the higher levels of the interior and watch the sails from up close and see the working interior gears.

A nearby village were we partook in cake and coffee and a 30 cent toilet break, used to only cost a penny didn't it?
Ashie eating said cake

Ethan in his slippers on the Throne. Many palaces require the wearing of these fashionable slippers in order to keep wear and tear down. ( Look a lot like Birkenstocks to me, quite popular in Germany)

The Roman bathhouse. The king and friends would come here to bath and feel like Romans. I imagine the ladies were also barred from this one. Was very impressed with the architecture and styling within the bathhouse. felt authentically Roman. The attention to detail in the mosaic floors was amazing.

An interior of the Roman Bathhouse.

Beautiful garden near the New Chambers. The kids had fun pretending to be Garden gnomes here.

Julie and the wee kids in the Dutch quarters.