Brandenburg looks back on a fascinating history. This is evident not only in the magnificent palaces in Potsdam, but also in the idyllic retreats in the Havelland region. While Frederick the Great cultivated royal life in Sanssouci, his great-grandson sought simplicity and rural happiness on the banks of the Havel River. More precisely, in the village of Paretz! Here you can experience a unique blend of royal history and village modesty. It is the ideal place for a relaxing getaway.
A village for the “Queen of Hearts”
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Paretz owes its current appearance to a royal couple: Frederick William III and his wife, the legendary Queen Luise. They wanted to lead a quiet life far away from the pomp and splendor of Berlin and Potsdam. In Paretz, they sought simplicity, spending their summers here away from the rigidity of court life.
But Paretz was no ordinary village; it was deliberately designed that way. At the end of the 18th century, the king had the entire village redesigned by architect David Gilly. The palace was to blend almost modestly into the row of farmhouses. This was a radical break with the usual pomp of the Hohenzollerns! The “Paretz style” is absolutely unique : everything was to be harmonious, useful, and simple. Here, Luise, the “Queen of Hearts,” could go for a walk in a relaxed manner and lead an almost “normal” life.
Where time stands still in Paretz
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Today, the village is a perfectly preserved witness to history. Walking through the streets, you feel transported back to a time when the clocks ticked a little slower. The small summer palace in Paretz now houses a museum. An absolute highlight are the famous Paretz wallpapers: hand-painted paper wallpapers with exotic birds and plants, which are among the most significant of their kind in Europe.
Just a few steps away from the palace is a Gothic church, which was also redesigned during the village renovation. It houses a famous clay relief depicting the arrival of the royal couple in the village. The “Luisenpforte” gate in the park once marked the entrance to the queen’s private quarters. A walk through the extensive palace grounds down to the Havel River offers pure nature and sweeping views of the river landscape. Feel like the royal couple themselves, who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.