New Palace 🇩🇪

Located on the western edge of Potsdam's Sanssouci park, the New Palace (Neues Palais) stands as the last great Prussian Baroque palace. Commissioned by King Frederick the Great after the Seven Years' War and built between 1763 and 1769, this grand site was designed to show off Prussia's power through an impressive excess of marble, stone, and gilt. While Frederick preferred using it to entertain important royals and dignitaries rather than as his main residence, you will find over 200 rooms packed with historic detail.

During your visit, explore grand gathering spaces like the shell-encrusted Grotto Hall, the luminous Marble Gallery, and the towering two-story Marble Hall, which features the largest canvas ceiling painting north of the Alps. Step into the south wing to see the palace theatre, uniquely designed without a royal box so the king could sit alongside his guests in the third row. Outside, admire the grand 220-meter facades adorned with over 400 sandstone statues, deceptive painted brickwork, and majestic cupolas.

Escaping destruction during World War II, the palace offers you a rare, preserved look into royal Prussian grandeur.

What to see at New Palace

• The Grotto Hall, encrusted with shells, marble, quartz, and semi-precious stones
• The two-story Marble Hall featuring the largest canvas ceiling painting north of the Alps
• An intimate south-wing theatre where Frederick the Great sat with guests in the third row
• Exterior facades adorned with over 400 sandstone statues and painted deceptive brickwork

Visiting tips

Look closely at the exterior walls to spot the clever painted-on brickwork, an artistic trick Frederick the Great used to cover expensive stucco repointing.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

New Palace is easy to reach on Potsdam’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Sanssouci Palace and Cecilienhof. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Potsdam travel guide.