Potsdam Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Potsdam

Potsdam was likely founded during the seventh century by the Hevelli tribe. The town was mentioned by the name of Poztupimi in a document from Emperor Otto III. The name likely came from an old Western Slavonic term roughly meaning "beneath the oaks."

By the early 1300s, a small town had formed with a town charter. By 1573 the town had around 2,000 people living there. Potsdam rose to prominence, however, when it became the hunting residence of Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg.

Brandenburg eventually became the Kingdom of Prussia, and Potsdam was a center for European culture and art. Religious freedoms attracted people from all over the continent. Potsdam maintained a steadfast dedication to its pastoral aesthetics with balanced architecture and landscapes.

As the city continued to grow, the Prussian royal family eventually settled there. Frederick the Great built many of the royal residences you can see today in the 18th century. Of the many sites you'll see around town from the era, don't miss the Brandenburg Gate, Old Market Square, Sanssouci Palace, and the palace's Terraced Gardens.

Potsdam remained a regional capital during the 19th and 20th centuries, even though the German Empire's principal capital was in nearby Berlin. Unfortunately, like many towns in Germany, Potsdam was severely damaged by World War II bombings.

Inside Potsdam's Cecilienhof Palace, Allied leaders decided to divide Germany after the war--an arrangement often called the Potsdam Agreement. In the following years, an effort was made by the East Germany government to remove many Prussian symbols and buildings, furthering the damage done by the war.

A lot has changed in Potsdam since reunification. Since the early 1990s, many efforts have been made to reconstruct historic structures and reestablish Potsdam to its beautiful historical glory. Don't miss Brandenburger Street for some modern amenities or the beautiful architecture at Saint Peter and Paul Church, Old City Hall, or Orangery Palace.

Potsdam is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. So get ready to see the sights--join us on this self-guided walking tour of this fantastic city.