To see the famous palaces of the Kaisers of Prussia, it is not necessary to go to Potsdam – the capital of Germany also has something to show history buffs. Charlottenburg Castle in Berlin is an architectural complex and the largest residence where seven generations of the Hohenzollern dynasty stayed. The sumptuous Baroque building and the adjoining unique garden make the former country house of Queen Sophia Charlotte a feast for the eyes.

Construction history

In 1694, Duchess Sophie Charlotte of Hanover, wife of the Elector of Brandenburg, the future Emperor of Prussia, received land on the banks of the Spree, seven kilometers from Berlin, as a gift from her husband. At that time, this area was a secluded idyll, the silence of which was broken only by the small village of Lietzow. In June 1695, Johann Arnold Nehring began the construction of a small summer house. The work of the architect, who died in October of the same year, was continued by Martin Grünberg.

The coronation of Frederick I, which took place in 1701, was the reason for the expansion of the two-story residence, which bore the name of Litzenburg. Four years later, after the death of the 36-year-old queen, the emperor renamed the palace Charlottenburg and entrusted the architect Eozander von Goethe with the construction of the western wing. Between 1709 and 1712, the risalit of the building received a dome. All subsequent owners added new elements to the architectural ensemble.

After the First World War, abandoned Charlottenburg passed to the Office of Palaces and Parks. In 1945, the building was almost completely destroyed, and in the late 40s, the city authorities decided to demolish it. The residence owes its restoration to one person – Margareta Kühn, who defended the castle and later became its director. Restoration work began in the 1950s. Carried out according to the original drawings, they returned to Berlin a historical monument that delights visitors with the splendor of decor.

Architecture

Charlottenburg Castle is an example of German baroque architecture with elements of rococo. The main building with eleven axial windows is complemented by two side wings, which together form a large front courtyard. The 505 m long bright yellow structure with gray contrasting details is located behind an elegant fence consisting of high peaks with eight-pointed stars – the signs of the Order of the Black Eagle, established by the first emperor of Prussia. On the gates there are sculptures of discus throwers facing each other.

In front of the main entrance, a bronze statue of the Great Elector rises on a marble pedestal. It is noteworthy that both the rider and the horse are a monolith – their figures were cast together. The sculptures at the foot of the monument personify the types of human temperament: phlegmatic, sanguine, choleric and melancholic.

A massive 48-meter tower crowned with a green dome rises above the central part of the facade. Its balustrade is decorated with allegorical figures symbolizing the sciences. On the spire, in an elegant dance step, the gilded statue of the goddess Fortune froze.

Interior

The interior decoration is made in the best traditions of baroque and rococo: here you will find artsy finishes, fancy voluminous stucco molding, and many statues. Both rich and soft pastel colors, generously diluted with golden elements, were used in the design of the walls. The halls and private quarters of the members of the royal family are furnished with carved and rich inlay furniture.

Do not ignore the bohemian ceilings, decorated with monumental paintings, ornate cladding and multi-colored frescoes with accurately written scenes. Soft light is provided by crystal chandeliers and exquisite candelabra. The decor of the floor, covered with parquet or ceramic tiles, is in harmony with the overall concept of the rooms.

Many halls are decorated with handmade tapestries, huge mirrors in elegant frames and works by German painters. In the gallery under the dome, Russian guests are surprised to recognize the portrait of Peter I, who visited the castle during his European trip. By the way, the mysterious Amber Room, presented to the first Russian emperor, was created for Charlottenburg.

What to see

The main building includes the premises of the old palace and the new wing adjoining it from the east, which appeared in the period 1740-1742. An imposing entrance in the center of the elongated building, accentuated by double columns and a balcony, leads to the state rooms and summer rooms. Today, furniture of monarchs, precious snuff boxes, cutlery made of gold, silver and porcelain, sculptures and paintings are exhibited here. One of the galleries houses the largest collection of paintings by Antoine Watteau in Germany.

main wing

The main attraction of the main wing is the round vaulted reception hall with gold bas-relief sculpture and numerous niches with marble figures. Arched windows overlook the park. This is followed by the winter bedroom of the emperor and the chapel. Here, under the oak pulpit, stands the original altar table. Opposite is the royal box. The angels are holding a crown and a Prussian eagle, a symbol of power. The suite is completed by a tapestry hall and a porcelain cabinet.

golden hall

The Golden Gallery is a festively decorated ballroom and one of the most beautiful rococo salons in Europe. Doors and walls and ceilings decorated in green pastel colors are decorated with precious stucco. Decor elements – cheerful cherubs, fruits, intricately intertwined tree branches – shine with a glint of gilding. A rectangular elongated room 42 m long fascinates visitors with the magnificence of crystal and mirrors.

white hall

Unlike the rest of the rooms, this room is made in a classic style. Here, too, a crystal chandelier sparkles, and the pilasters are trimmed with gold. But the white color of the walls and simple arched windows give the former dining room of Frederick the Great austere features. Unfortunately, the original ceiling, painted by the court painter Antoine Pesnet, has not survived to this day. Now the White Hall is decorated with a ceiling with an abstract pattern, the color palette of which repeats the motifs of the lost canvas.

porcelain cabinet

On the ground floor there is a room, the walls of which are decorated with huge mirrors in golden frames. This is a famous porcelain cabinet created in 1706 by Baron von Goethe, the famous architect of Prussia. Knowing Sophia Charlotte's passion for Oriental art, the king presented her with a salon containing a priceless collection of more than 2,700 white and blue Chinese and Japanese porcelain items. Each item is hand painted. The ceiling is decorated with a plafond – a real work of art, introducing visitors to allegorical characters personifying the seasons, parts of the world and zodiac signs.

Big greenhouse

In the western part of the structure is the Large Orangerie, with an area of 1,156 m2, built between 1709 and 1712. During the cold months, about two hundred orange and lemon trees hibernated in daylight-filled rooms. In summer, the greenhouse was regularly used as a venue for court festivals and balls. In 1943, the building fell into ruins and was restored after 19 years. Today it is used for ceremonial receptions, dinners and concerts.

Modern Charlottenburg

Today, the former possession of the Hohenzollerns is not only a museum and an architectural monument, but also one of the centers of the cultural life of the capital. Concerts and gala receptions are regularly held in the Great Orangerie, accompanied by a performance by the Berlin Residenz Orchestra. Musicians dressed in original baroque costumes perform classical pieces from the 18th century. Here you can turn your child's birthday into a real holiday. Little guests, dressed in magnificent outfits, will be happy not only to enjoy delicious dishes, but also to turn into real members of the imperial court for a while.

Those wishing to treat themselves to a cup of coffee and cake can visit the open-air cafe. Friendly staff awaits guests daily from 11:00 to 19:00. During the Advent period (four weeks before Catholic Christmas), the castle is an atmospheric backdrop for a cozy fair, inviting you to warm up with burning mulled wine, satisfy your hunger with national fried sausages and purchase traditional handicrafts and souvenirs.

The park

The palace is framed by a magnificent park – an ideal place for walking and relaxing. In 1697, Sophia Charlotte invited Simeon Gordo, a student of the famous Versailles gardener Andre Le Nôtre, to create the first French baroque garden in Germany. Its opening took place two years later and was marked by a magnificent celebration. The talented and highly educated queen used her new domain not only for festivals with music, dance and theatrical performances, but also for solitary conversations and disputes with the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

In connection with the expansion of the imperial court in 1701 and the advent of a new fashion for English landscapes, part of the territory has undergone changes. However, after the devastation of World War II and subsequent reconstruction, the atmosphere of the former baroque garden was restored.

Today, classic Versailles design is defined by strict geometric lines. Four paths, separated by lawns, start at the castle. Parterre flower beds and border shrubs adjoin them, forming an elegant ornament. In the center is an octagonal pool with a fountain. The function of scenery is performed by numerous sculptures and a ten-meter marble obelisk.

In the northern part there is a wide staircase leading to the reservoir. In Charlotte's time, it was connected to the River Spree and served as a port for the richly decorated gondolas on which the Queen traveled from the city‘s Berlin Palace to her country residence. Today, the former harbor is the Carp Pond, which has the shape of a rectangle and is decorated on one side with a humpbacked bridge.

Gazebo

On the banks of the Spree, in the shade of linden alleys, hides the Belvedere, built by the architect Carl Gotthard Langhan in 1788. The king used the neoclassical building as a viewing pavilion and tea house. It also hosted spirit conjuring ceremonies organized by the mystical Rosicrucian Society, to which Friedrich Wilhelm II belonged. Today in the Belvedere there is an exposition of porcelain products. The focus is on the world's largest collection of unique items from the Berlin Royal Porcelain Manufactory, founded in 1763.

New pavilion

The building to the east of the castle was erected in 1824/25 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Built in the style of a Neapolitan villa, the building was intended for the solitary summer vacation of the monarch. Destroyed during the Second World War, the pavilion was recreated in 1957/60. After a general reconstruction in 2011, an art gallery was opened here.

The three rooms on the ground floor are furnished with original pieces of furniture and convey the authentic impression of the summer house of the ruler of Prussia. Samples of German portraiture are exhibited in adjacent rooms. The upper rooms are devoted to drawings and sketches by Schinkel and paintings by his contemporaries: Caspar David Friedrich, Eduard Gartner and Karl Blechen.

Mausoleum

In the northwestern part of the garden is the Mausoleum, where members of the Hohenzollern dynasty are buried. In 1810, after the sudden death of his beloved wife Louise, Friedrich Wilhelm III ordered to build a building in the form of a small ancient temple. Ideas and sketches belonged to the king, the work on the project was led by the architect Heinrich Gentz. The role of consultant was assigned to the famous architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

The altar, the crucifix and biblical sayings on the walls give the building the character of a chapel. In 1840, the premises were expanded in connection with the installation of the sarcophagus of the third monarch of Prussia. The building was enlarged again in 1888 after the death of Kaiser Wilhelm I and his wife Augusta. Under the memorial hall, the second wife of Friedrich Wilhelm III, Countess Augusta von Harrach and Prince Albrecht, sleep eternal sleep.

Opening hours and ticket prices

The castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (from 01.04. to 31.10.) and from 10:00 to 17:00 (from 01.11. to 31.03.). Ticket offices are located next to the main entrance. The last guest is admitted 30 minutes before closing time. The visit is not possible on 24.12, 25.12. and 31.12 after 14:00. The park is open all year round from 8:00 am until sunset. Free admission.

Entrance ticket price is:

The price includes the use of an audio guide (German and English available). By paying 3 euros, you get permission to take pictures of the premises (without flash and tripod).

You can also purchase a Charlottenburg+ combo ticket, which gives you access to all galleries and pavilions (excluding temporary exhibitions). Price: standard – 17 €, preferential – 13 €. With the Berlin WelcomeCard, the discount on the purchase of Ticket charlottenburg+ is 25%. Children under 7 years are admitted free.

Where is it located and how to get there

The palace complex is located in the west of Berlin – in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. Thanks to the developed transport infrastructure and the availability of surface parking, it will not be difficult to get to the sights.

By car: distance from the A100 autobahn – 0.8 km. In front of the Great Orangery, guests of the palace are provided with 120 parking spaces. The nearest 24-hour car park is at Spandauer Damm 10. The price is 2 euros per hour.
Bus: routes M45 and 309 – to the stop Schloss Charlottenburg, 109 – to Luisenplatz / Schloss Charlottenburg.
Train (S-Bahn): S41, 42 and 46 to Westend station. Spandauer Damm Street leads directly from it to the castle. Travel time is 13 minutes.
Metro (U-Bahn):

Exact address: Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin.

Navigator coordinates: 52°31'15.4″N 13°17'44.3″E.