Knobelsdorffhaus, Palladian building at Alter Markt, Potsdam, Germany

Knobelsdorffhaus is a Palladian-style building at Alter Markt featuring a symmetrical five-part facade, rounded arch windows, and a central projection crowned with a triangular pediment. It stands on two levels and sits beside the Old Town Hall as part of a unified architectural ensemble.

The building was constructed in 1750 under Frederick the Great's commission, with architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff designing it based on London models. This design embodied the architectural culture of the enlightened Prussian monarchy.

The name honors architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, whose design shaped the character of Alter Markt. The roof sculptures depict classical Roman deities and reflect the European fascination with ancient culture during that period.

The building now houses the Potsdam Museum and welcomes visitors interested in local history. You can plan time to visit the exhibitions inside or simply admire the exterior while strolling around Alter Markt.

The three attic figures by Johann Peter Benkert were removed in 1897 after one lost an arm and sold in 1898 for 200 marks to writer Hermann Sudermann for his Blankensee manor. Limestone copies went up in 1930; a 1961 exchange with the Sudermann Foundation brought restored originals back, but Pomona broke during removal in 1964. Caputh sculptor Horst Misch made sandstone copies; the original Vertumnus has been with the Brandenburg Palaces office since 2000.