The name Potsdam is probably most closely associated with the conference held there in the summer of 1945 during the closing stages of the 2nd World War. The leaders of the United States (Truman), the Soviet Union (Stalin) and Great Britain (Churchill then later Attlee) met to work out the future of Europe post war and also the surrender of Japan.
In very simple terms it set the stage for the division of Europe and the Cold War. Since it would take a thesis to write all about that, there is an interesting link here for background reading!
The setting for this important political gathering was the slightly incongruous Cecilienhof Palace, which looks more like an English Tudor mansion than a Hohenzollern Palace.
Cecilienhof Potsdam – View From The Neuer Garten
It was chosen as it had been virtually undamaged by the bombing that had ravaged Berlin and the industrial areas of Potsdam. In fact it was the last Hohenzollern palace ever built and was constructed between 1914 and 1917 for Crown Prince William and his wife Cecilie von Mecklenburg-Schwerin – hence the name “Cecilienhof”.
Part of the large complex of palaces and parks that make up the UNESCO World Heritage site in Potsdam, the Cecilienhof sits at the northern end of the Neuer Garten (New Garden). Designed by architect Paul Schultze-Naumburg it was created on the lines of an English country house in a Tudor style (I guess the German royal family did have a lot of English relatives?). Now a museum, you can visit the conference room and see the rooms where all the discussions and work took place.
Unfortunately we only had time to breeze in and out of the palace gardens so have yet to go round the museum. It was also rather crowded (not surprisingly) so many of my photos have “gatecrashers”!
The surrounding gardens and parkland are definitely not to be missed – more to follow next week to conclude the Potsdam series of posts!
Neuer Garten Potsdam – Marmorpalais
Copyright © 2017 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved
Le Chic En Rose 
It really does look like a Tudor house in England Rosemary, so lucky it wasn’t badly damaged in the bombing. I find the history of this period fascinating so would love to visit. The gardens look gorgeous and the gatecrashers don’t spoil your pictures at all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we’re the same Joy – really find this period of history fascinating. It was a bit surreal to actually visit the place where the Potsdam Conference was held. Wish we’d had the time to go round the museum but there were so many other places to see – next time! Yes the gardens were gorgeous – such a pleasant place to wander round 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a historian (before becoming a lawyer and legal educator), I specialized in twentieth-century history. I find this fascinating and would love to visit it myself. The buildings and grounds look beautiful. The English architecture really does seem out of place, but enjoyable nonetheless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Susan – that’s so interesting to hear! Monsieur and I both studied history at uni so we found Potsdam fascinating. There are so many historical aspects to this place from differing eras – hope you manage to get here one day! The Cecilienhof looked very pretty in the spring sunshine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The setting for Stalin’s land grab in Eastern Europe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Quite – it was a bit eerie going round in a way knowing the outcome of that conference. Not as spooky as Wannsee though (just up the road nearer Berlin) an idyllic setting for incomprehensible evil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this interesting post. Then we visited Potsdam, the palace was closed for a G20 type conference. As you say, it looks more English than German.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ruth – hopefully you can go back there again one day when it it’s open! I’d like to see inside and visit the museum at some point!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bizarre, isn’t it? Looks like somewhere from Shakespeare’s Stratford 🙂 I shall look forward to the gardens next week. Have a happy one, Rosemay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that’s what I thought too Jo- interesting choice of architectural style – still it did sit nicely in the gardens. Talking of which yes I will have more this week! Have a lovely week too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person