Beautiful Baroque Potsdam: A Tour through the Old Town and Dutch Quarter

Potsdam’s Old Town is one of the most beautiful baroque centers in all of Europe, yet the city is often overshadowed by its popular neighbour, Berlin. On this walking tour, I’ll share some of East Germany’s unique appeal with you. You’ll hear its history from as far back as the 1700s, through to World War II, all the way to today. I’ll show you the main sights, some lesser-known but equally rewarding spots, and a few of my favourite places in the city too.

You’ll start outside the Ringerkolonnade, the recognisable set of columns that stand tall beside Landtag Brandenburg, a replica of Potsdam’s former royal palace which, today, is the seat of the Brandenburg Parliament. From there, I’ll show you Alter Markt, the Old Market Square, once considered one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. You’ll hear why the faces of kings on the obelisk in the square’s centre were replaced with the faces of architects. I’ll also point out the Barberini Palace Museum and the Old City Hall – both restored since World War II – and St Nicolai Church which managed to survive the destruction.

From there, you’ll make your way to the section of Old Town that escaped World War II’s bombs, where you’ll find over 400 intact houses from the early 1700s. I’ll show you how to reach the Dutch Quarter, Potsdam’s very own little Amsterdam, where you’ll see the charming red-brick houses that were built under the second Prussian King, who wanted to attract the Dutch but, instead, attracted Huguenots.

On this Potsdam walking tour, you’ll also have a chance to:

• Stand in the shadows of three of the old city gates: Nauener Tor, Jagertor, and Potsdam’s very own Brandenburg Gate
• Learn about the city’s Jewish community as you pass the Alte Synagoge (Potsdam’s old Synagogue)
• See Mozart’s House, the place where he resided during his disappointing visit to the city
• Stroll along Platz der Einheit (the Square of Unity), Bassinplatz (Bassin Square), the Alter Kanal (Alter Canal) and the Potsdam’s Neuer Markt (New Market Square)
• Eat delicious pancakes, Dutch style and be sure to let them know that you're doing the tour
• Find out why the city’s orphans were luckier than others in the 1700s
• Pass by the guard house, Alte Wache
• Stop at a memorial for the victims of Nazi and East German persecution
• Discover remains of the old city wall of 1722
• Hear about Frederic II's favorite coachman

So get ready for a memorable tour through one of the best preserved baroque cities in Europe.