{"id":580,"date":"2018-03-03T08:55:31","date_gmt":"2018-03-03T08:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zeweekendtraveller.com\/?p=580"},"modified":"2019-02-11T12:08:27","modified_gmt":"2019-02-11T12:08:27","slug":"potsdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeweekendtraveller.com\/index.php\/europe\/germany\/potsdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Potsdam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Potsdam has been on my to-visit list for quite some time now and it doesn’t disappoint. I would recommend to visit combined with visiting Berlin. There is quite a contrast between these two cities. Potsdam has a laid-back feel and wonderful heritage architectures and beautiful gardens,\u00a0 all under the Unesco Heritage and very well worth a visit.<\/p>\n

Getting there<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Berlin, buy a day ticket for ABC Zone. At the time of my visit it is 7.70 Euros. This all-powerful ticket will serve you well in both Berlin and Potsdam, you can use the public transportation then in both cities. Take the S-Bahn 7 from the Berlin Central Station, direction Potsdam Hauptbanhof.\u00a0 Instead of going directly to the Potsdam Central Station , I stopped at an earlier station “Berlin-Wannsee”<\/p>\n

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Berlin-Wannsee Station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the station, look for bus signs and follow it and take Bus 316<\/strong> heading towards Glienicker Br\u00fccke. Takes about 10 minutes to arrive and the stop is directly at the Bridge. Around there , are indicators of where the Berlin Wall used to be.<\/p>\n

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Where the Berlin Wall used to be.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Part of the Berlin Wall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Bridge is not very big or grand but hugely significant historically during the Cold War where prisoner exchanges are done here. The movie Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks where the Glienicke Bridge is depicted. It goes across the Havel River.<\/p>\n

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The Glienicke Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Walking across the Bridge from Berlin to Potsdam , felt somehow like being back to the past and can easily be imagined how it was in those days. In the middle point there is a plaque , rather discreet on the ground that shows the divide.<\/p>\n

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Walking across the Glienicke Bridge feels surreal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The line between the East and West denoted on the Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After crossing the Bridge, take a right turn along the river’s gravel path will bring you to Neue Garten<\/strong> (New Garden), a Unesco heritage site. Its a big landscaped garden area with plenty of space. We were there in Winter and the wind was ice cold , making it rather uncomfortable to walk really much. In summer time though , it is a very popular place for nude sunbathing. Don’t be too shocked if you come across them. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

There is a small bridge called the SchwanenBrucke<\/strong><\/em> where the picturesque Hasengraben flows into the Havel river. On the side of the Hasengraben, stands many beautiful houses.<\/p>\n

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Where the Hasengraben meets the Havel River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Winter has its charms- as I am standing on the frozen waters of the Hasengraben<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you follow the path along the Hasengraben where it ends is the Heiliger See and looking across the lake you will see the Marmorpalais<\/strong> (Marble Palace). That day the Heiliger See was also frozen and people were playing ice hockey and skating on the lake.<\/p>\n

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Marble Palace from across the frozen Heiliger See<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continue along the path towards the Grunes Haus (Green House) which is a summer residence ,<\/p>\n

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Grunes Haus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

then there are signs to the Schloss Cecilienhof.\u00a0 Its claim to fame is that this is the site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945 where Churchill, Truman and Stalin met to discuss the further administration of post-Nazi Germany. The Schloss has a\u00a0 Soviet red star in the Courtyard. Here is the Link<\/a><\/strong> for opening hours and admission fees to Schloss Cecilienhof.<\/p>\n

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Since it was too chilly , we took the exit out from the park after Cecilienhof . Take the bus no. 603<\/strong>\u00a0(Direction : Potsdam, Platz der Einheit\/West) and stop at Potsdam Rathaus.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Here is a little walking map of what is described at the top.<\/p>\n

[googlemaps https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1XIVz1x0NoPw0v6NPUcA8IBFryfUjmI4K&amp;w=640&amp;h=480]<\/p>\n

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Potsdam Rathaus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ahead you can already see the Nauener Tor which is one of the remaining three gates in the city. Go through the gates and you would have stepped into the Netherlands.\u00a0 Well, not quite but this is the biggest Dutch architecture collection outside of the country.<\/p>\n

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Nauener Tor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now you are in what is known as the Dutch Quarter.\u00a0 Its not hard to see why and strolling around this area is nice with shops on both sides of the road.<\/p>\n

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Dutch Quarter filled with quaint shops in Potsdam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Or pop in for a short coffee break, that’s what I did at a little bakery with smells of nice fresh bread.<\/p>\n

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Nice selection of cakes at the Bakery at Dutch Quarter , Potsdam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My selections in the end was coffee with Quarkt\u00f6rtchen (cheese cake) which was pretty good and not that sweet (so important!)<\/p>\n