Sanssouci Castle

The former summer palace of Frederick the Great, the Sanssouci Castle sits just outside Berlin. It is known for its vibrant gardens. The bold castle was designed by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff in approximately 1745. Knobelsdorff was later replaced by Dutch architect Jan Bouman after a disagreement with Frederick regarding the view from the palace. The castle's purpose was to serve as Frederick's private residence and a personal hideaway from the pageantry of the Berlin court. In fact, Sanssouci is actually French for "carefree", which is the state of mind Frederick was trying to achieve while staying at the castle. The palace is small in comparison to other Berlin castles. It is slightly larger then a single-storey villa and features 10 principal rooms. The structure was erected on the brow of a terraced hill at the centre of a park.

The castle later became home to Frederick William IV during the 19th Century. At that time, the building was restored and expanded by the architect Ludwig Persius. After World War II, the castle turned into a tourist attraction and was opened to the public. Then, in 1990, the body of Frederick was returned to Sanssouci to be buried in a tomb overlooking the gardens. Also in 1990, the Sanssouci and its lush gardens became a World Heritage Site. The Foundation for Prussian Palaces and Gardens in Berlin-Brandenburg was founded in 1995 to care for the Sanssouci Castle and other castles in the Berlin area. Today, the palace receives more than two million visitors annually.