Capital of the Land of Brandenburg
Situation and characteristics
Potsdam lies southwest of Berlin in a beautiful setting of woodland and lakes. This former residence of the rulers of Prussia is a town of palaces and gardens in the style of Potsdam Roccoco, but it is also the symbol of the military
state built up by the Prussian kings. The planned development of Potsdam into a garrison town began in the reign of the "soldier king," Frederick William I (1713-40). Under his successor Frederick II, the Great (1740-86), the town and the army both grew in size, and by 1774 there were 139 barracks, military hospitals and other military buildings in Potsdam. To enhance the dignity of the capital, the old palace was rebuilt, the new palace of Sanssouci was begun and whole quarters of the town were pulled down and replaced by Baroque burghers' houses.
In 1991 the remains of Frederick William I and Frederick the Great were brought back to Potsdam.
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