New Chambers, Museum at Sanssouci Park, Germany
The New Chambers extends 110 meters along Sanssouci Park, combining a simple exterior facade with four grand banquet halls inside adorned with marble and semi-precious stones. The single-story building stands about 6.5 meters tall, appearing surprisingly modest for a royal palace yet housing interiors of considerable splendor.
Frederick the Great commissioned the building in 1747 as an orangery to shelter citrus plants through winter. Between 1771 and 1775, architect Georg Christian Unger transformed it into guest quarters under the king's direction.
The Ovid Gallery displays fourteen gilded stucco reliefs depicting scenes from Roman mythology that animate the walls with classical stories. These carefully designed rooms once allowed royal guests to surround themselves with the grandeur of ancient times.
The building sits prominently along the main axis of the park, making it easy to find and explore during a visit. Access is level and the rooms are compact, so viewing the interior requires no significant physical effort.
The Grand Marquetry Cabinet displays ornate wood wall paneling created through intricate inlay work by master craftsmen, with patterns so elaborate that one wonders how many hours of labor went into such detail. The precision of this work remains visible in every corner of the room.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
