Potsdam

capital city of the German state of Brandenburg

Potsdam (Low Sorbian: Podstupim) is a small German city which is right next to Berlin. In fact it touches the border of Berlin, and is about 26 km southwest of Berlin's centre. It is the capital of the state of Brandenburg. Potsdam has a small population: about 176,000 people lived in this city in 2017.

Potsdam
Sanssouci, former summer palace of Frederick the Great
Sanssouci, former summer palace of Frederick the Great
Flag of Potsdam
Coat of arms of Potsdam
Location of Potsdam
Map
Potsdam is located in Germany
Potsdam
Potsdam
Potsdam is located in Brandenburg
Potsdam
Potsdam
Coordinates: 52°24′N 13°4′E / 52.400°N 13.067°E / 52.400; 13.067
CountryGermany
StateBrandenburg
DistrictUrban district
Government
 • Lord mayorJann Jakobs (SPD)
Area
 • Total187.28 km2 (72.31 sq mi)
Highest elevation
114 m (374 ft)
Lowest elevation
35 m (115 ft)
Population
 (2022-12-31)[1]
 • Total185,750
 • Density990/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
14401 – 14482
Dialling codes0331
Vehicle registrationP
Websitepotsdam.de

On the other hand, it is the largest World Heritage site in Germany. Potsdam was a residence of the Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. It was planned in the Age of Enlightenment with a careful balance of architecture and landscape. Potsdam was intended as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" which would remind its people of their relationship with nature and reason.[3]

Around the city there are a series of lakes and cultural landmarks. The parks and palaces of Sanssouci are the centre of the World Heritage Site. The Soviet Union did not return many of the Potsdam art treasures, and they remain to this day in Russia. The library of Frederick the Great was returned, but only 36 oil paintings.

The Potsdam Conference in 1945 was held at the palace Cecilienhof.

References

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  1. "Bevölkerungsentwicklung und Bevölkerungsstandim Land Brandenburg Dezember 2022" (PDF). Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg (in German). June 2023.
  2. Statistischer Bericht 10/06 Land Brandenburg
  3. The Potsdam project, 1996, HRH The Prince of Wales, Charles; Hanson, Brian; Steil, Lucien; Prince of Wales's Urban Design Task Force; Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture, Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture, 1998, Introduction.