King Frederick William II had the Marble Palace built between 1787–93 as a secluded summer retreat, creating the first and only Prussian royal palace in the early Neoclassical style.

A legacy of landscapes

The New Garden’s distinctive atmosphere continues to enchant today’s visitors. The spacious grounds inspired by English gardens offer expansive views of the Havel landscape extending to Peacock Island and its palace. – © A. Stiebitz / SPSG, Marble Palace New Garden, Potsdam

The highpoint of Prussian Neoclassicism can be experienced at the Marble Palace, whose interiors have recently been completely restored. The palace is richly decorated and designed with sumptuous materials. – © L. Seidel / SPSG, Marble Palace New Garden, Potsdam

The New Garden’s distinctive atmosphere continues to enchant today’s visitors. The gardens' many small, mystical architectural features, such as the pyramids, recall the King's Rosicrucian interests. – © L. Seidel / SPSG, New Garden and Lake Heiliger See, Potsdam

Artificial palms ornament the walls of the Hall of Palms, covered in wall panels of local wood. This room was used as a concert hall during the summer months. – © W. Pfauder / SPSG, Orangery, New Garden, Hall of Palms, Potsdam

The Gothic Library, built by Carl Gotthard Langhans at the southern end of the New Garden, served as a lookout tower and housed the king’s book collection, which took up two floors. – © H. Bach / SPSG, Gothic Library New Garden, Potsdam

The New Garden’s distinctive atmosphere continues to enchant today’s visitors. The spacious grounds inspired by English gardens offer expansive views of the Havel landscape extending to Peacock Island and its palace. – © A. Stiebitz / SPSG, Marble Palace New Garden, Potsdam

Peter-Joseph Lenné (1789 - 1866) was one of the most important 19th century German garden and landscape architects. When you visit Potsdam, you will see his work in many gardens, parks and squares. The design of the Havel River landscape between Potsdam and Berlin, where Lenné linked utility and beauty under the motto of "landscape embellishment", is a prime example of early German landscape design that has had a far-reaching impact beyond its time.

Lenné moved to Potsdam as a journeyman gardener at the age of 27. One of his first tasks was to deal with the ‘problem child’ New Garden. Fast growing conifers had been planted during the reign of King Frederick William II and were growing out of control – covering the paths and roads.

Lenné’s talent for landscape planning and development was quickly recognised. In 1817, he presented his first plan – a curvy set of baths and lakeshores. His ideas focused on long vistas that were not centred on empty spaces but moved towards outstanding palaces, monuments or landscape elements. The King was so impressed by Lenné that he became Potsdam’s garden director.

The Early Neoclassical Marble House, whose main building was erected on the banks of the Heiliger See by Carl von Gonthard and Carl Gotthard Langhans. – © H. Bach / SPSG, Marble House New Garden, Potsdam

Although his plan was never fully realised due to financial constraints, you can get an idea of his concept by taking a look from his former residence, the ‘Grünes Haus’ (Green House), towards the Marble House or the Flatow Tower. To achieve his vision, existing plants had to be extensively cut back – a practice that is still in place so that Lenné’s genius is still enjoyed today.

It was Lenné, too, who in 1823 founded a school for gardeners at Potsdam-Wildpark, later relocated to Berlin-Dahlem. This was the world's first university-level course of study in gardening and landscape architecture.

When visiting Postdam, don’t miss the chance to enjoy Lenné’s legacy by strolling through the gardens. His best-known works are the redesigns of the parks at Sanssouci in Potsdam and the Tiergarten in Berlin. His works were a great inspiration to future generations of gardeners and landscape architects.