New Palace, Baroque palace in Potsdam, Germany.
New Palace is a baroque residence in Potsdam featuring more than 200 halls and chambers adorned with minerals, seashells, and marble elements across three connected wings. The facade stretches roughly 720 feet (220 meters) and is crowned by a central dome, while the rooms inside served different functions for receptions, theater, and royal living quarters.
Frederick II of Prussia ordered construction between 1763 and 1769 to demonstrate the kingdom's unbroken strength after the Seven Years' War. The project followed the Peace of Hubertusburg and served less as a permanent residence than as a representative guesthouse for high-ranking visitors.
The theater in the southern wing presents performances in its original 18th-century hall, where the period stage machinery and decorations remain in working order. Visitors attending shows can sense how court audiences once experienced opera and drama in this intimate setting.
Access to the building is available daily except Tuesdays from 10 in the morning, with guided tours offered in several languages at the entrance. The gardens surrounding the estate can be walked freely and offer additional paths for a longer stay.
The Grotto Hall on the ground floor contains over 24,000 seashells, minerals, and gemstones covering its walls in elaborate patterns. The materials come from collections gathered over decades and give the room a shimmering, almost cave-like appearance.
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