Frederick the Great's Rococo summer palace on a terraced vineyard hill, where he lived, hosted Voltaire, and is buried.
Frederick the Great commissioned Sanssouci in 1745 as a private retreat away from the formality of Berlin's royal court, personally sketching elements of the design that architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff carried out. The single-story palace, small by royal standards, sits atop terraced vineyards and was intended as a place 'without cares,' where Frederick pursued music, philosophy, and correspondence with Enlightenment figures including Voltaire, who lived at the palace for several years. Frederick chose to be buried on the terrace beside the palace, alongside his greyhounds, rather than in the grand Hohenzollern crypt in Berlin, a wish only fulfilled in 1991 after German reunification. The palace and its surrounding 290-hectare park, expanded by later Hohenzollern rulers with additional buildings including the Neues Palais, form the core of Potsdam's UNESCO World Heritage designation.
| Admission | €14 (~$15) adult; park free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue-Sun 10:00-17:30 (Apr-Oct), 10:00-16:30 (Nov-Mar); closed Mondays |
| Address | Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Germany |
Why it matters
The personal summer residence of Frederick the Great, symbolizing the cultural high point of the Prussian Enlightenment court
Site facts
- Built
- 1745-1747
- Architect
- Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff, with design input from Frederick the Great
- Style
- Rococo
- UNESCO listing
- Yes - part of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, inscribed 1990
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Location
Maulbeerallee, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
52.4042, 13.0326 View on map
Highlights
- Frederick the Great's grave on the terrace outside the palace
- The Voltaire Room, decorated for the philosopher's extended stays
- Terraced vineyard architecture unique among Prussian royal residences
- Marble Hall used for state receptions
Tips for visiting
- Book a timed entry slot online in advance; walk-up tickets often sell out by midday
- Start in the historic apartments before the tour groups arrive at opening time
- Do not miss the Voltaire Room, the single most requested room on the tour
- The park itself is free, so allow extra time to walk to the Neues Palais afterward
- Photography is not permitted inside the palace rooms
When to visit
Spring for blossoming terrace orchards or September for smaller crowds.
Accessibility
Ground floor accessible via a side ramp; the terrace approach involves stairs.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Why is Frederick the Great buried outside rather than in Berlin?
He requested burial on the Sanssouci terrace among his dogs rather than the grand Hohenzollern crypt, a wish that was only carried out in 1991 after reunification.