Sanssouci, The New Palace Sanssouci, The New Palace Potsdam, Garmany Potsdam, Garmany The The New Palace New Palace (German: (German: Neues Neues Palais Palais ) is a palace situated on ) is a palace situated on the western side of the the western side of the Sanssouci royal park in Sanssouci royal park in Potsdam. The building was begun Potsdam. The building was begun in 1763, after the end of the in 1763, after the end of the Seven Year’ War, under Seven Year’ War, under Frederick the Great and was Frederick the Great and was completed in 1769. It is completed in 1769. It is considered to be the last great considered to be the last great Prussian baroque palace. Prussian baroque palace. The New Palace in The New Palace in Sanssouci Park Sanssouci Park New Palace with the New Palace with the Communs Communs View of the New Palace View of the New Palace from the gardens from the gardens The Communs The Communs For the King, the New For the King, the New Palace was not a principal Palace was not a principal residence, but a display for the reception of important royals residence, but a display for the reception of important royals and dignitaries. Of the over 200 rooms, four principal gathering and dignitaries. Of the over 200 rooms, four principal gathering rooms and a theater were available for royal functions, balls and rooms and a theater were available for royal functions, balls and state occasions. state occasions. After the death of Frederick the Great in 1786, After the death of Frederick the Great in 1786, the New Palace fell into disuse and was rarely the New Palace fell into disuse and was rarely occupied as a residence or entertainment venue. occupied as a residence or entertainment venue. However, starting in 1859 it became the summer However, starting in 1859 it became the summer residence of the German Crown Prince, Frederick residence of the German Crown Prince, Frederick William, later German Emperor Frederick III. The William, later German Emperor Frederick III. The ascension of William II saw renovation and ascension of William II saw renovation and restoration within the palace being carried out restoration within the palace being carried out with the installation of steam heating, bathrooms with the installation of steam heating, bathrooms in state apartments and electrification of the in state apartments and electrification of the chandeliers which Frederick the Great had chandeliers which Frederick the Great had collected from across Europe. collected from across Europe. After the abdication of William II, the New After the abdication of William II, the New Palace became a museum and remained such until Palace became a museum and remained such until the Second World War. Much of its furniture had the Second World War. Much of its furniture had been taken to the residence of the exiled been taken to the residence of the exiled William II in Netherlands. (The majority of the William II in Netherlands. (The majority of the furnishings were returned to Potsdam in 1970). furnishings were returned to Potsdam in 1970). Sanssouci Sanssouci New Palace New Palace Potsdam, Germany Potsdam, Germany © © Miki Pitish Miki Pitish