It’s currently cold enough in Berlin that we don’t want to leave the house at all. But especially in cold January, a day trip can lift your spirits. One of the best tips for things to do in the Berlin area is to visit the palaces in Brandenburg. In addition to the famous Sanssouci Palace, Glienicke Palace is also a real architectural gem. Located on the southwestern edge of Berlin on the border with Potsdam, this place is considered the epitome of Italian longing. So if you want to satisfy your wanderlust in no time , this is the place to be!
A piece of Italy in Germany
The dream of a “Prussian Arcadia” took shape at Glienicke Palace. Prince Carl of Prussia, a son of King Frederick William III, bought the estate in 1824 after an inspiring trip to Italy. He commissioned the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel to convert an existing manor house into a summer residence in the antique style.
Carl wanted to bring his own “piece of Italy” to the Havel River. Glienicke Palace is therefore considered one of the earliest and most beautiful examples of classicism with Mediterranean influence in Germany. And you can see that when you visit the complex. The palace ensemble captivates with its lightness and the harmonious connection between interior and exterior spaces. Prince Carl’s redesign was so successful that his palace became famous worldwide: since 1990, Glienicke Palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Palaces and Gardens of Potsdam and Berlin.”
The public park and garden art
Image: Shutterstock | Bridge of Spies
The palace itself is painted in a warm yellow tone and feels almost like summer. It is complemented by a striking observation tower. Original antique fragments that Prince Carl brought back from his travels and had incorporated into the walls can be found everywhere. Directly in front of the palace, two golden lions guard a magnificent fountain, which was also designed based on an antique model. The interior is colorful: the centerpiece is the Red Hall, but there is also a green salon, a turquoise bedroom, a marble room, and a deep blue library.
A separate building is located directly on the banks of the Havel River, which was used for small gatherings and music-making. From here, you have a fantastic view of the Glienicke Bridge, which became world-famous during the Cold War as a place for the exchange of agents. The surrounding castle park, decorated with carpet beds and sculptures , is also beautiful. Today , the castle houses the first museum in Europe dedicated to the history and craft of Prussian court gardeners.