Sanssouci Palace was the summer residence of Frederick the Great of Prussia, located in Potsdam near Berlin. It was designed in the Rococo style between 1745-1747 as a private residence for the King to escape the formal court. Its name means "without worries" symbolizing its role as a place of relaxation. The New Palace was later built in the more fashionable Baroque style from 1763-1769 on the orders of Frederick William II and was more lavish with over 200 rooms. Other notable buildings in the park include the Bildergalerie art gallery, Orangerie, Chinesisches Teehaus tea house, Dragon House, and Charlottenhof Palace.

2. Sanssouciis the former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, in Potsdam, near Berlin. It is often counted among the German rivals of Versailles. The palace is considered the major work of Rococo architecture in Germany. It was designed by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff between 1745 and 1747 to fulfil King Frederick's need for a private residence where he could relax away from the pomp and ceremony of the Berlin court. This is emphasized by the palace's name: a French phrase (sans souci) which translates loosely as "without worries" or "carefree" symbolising that the palace was a place for relaxation rather than a seat of power. The palace is little more than a large single-storey villa—more like the Château de Marly than Versailles. Containing just ten principal rooms, it was built on the brow of a terraced hill at the centre of the park. King Frederick William II ordered the construction of a new palace in the new more fashionable style, and stayed at Sanssouci only occasionally. The New Palace is in the Baroque style and was constructed between 1763 and 1769. The New Palace is one of Germany's most impressive palaces. In contrast to the Sanssouci Palace, which is rather modest, the imposing sumptuous palace contains more than 200 lavishly decorated rooms spread over two storeys. The central ballroom is topped by a large dome.

4. Bildergalerie (Picture Gallery) was built between 1755 and 1763. Its facade is similar to that of Sans Souci Palace, and the interior is one of the most flamboyant in Germany. The collection of some 125 paintings features works by Italian Renaissance and baroque artists along with Dutch and Flemish masters. Next to the Neues Palais is the Communsbuilding. This building contained the servants' quarters and the palace kitchens, but the outside is decorated as if it were a palace itself. West of the palace is the Orangerie, built between 1851 and 1864. It was based on Italian Renaissance designs. Its purpose was to shelter southern plants during the cold months. In the central core is the Raphael Hall, which holds 47 copies of that master's paintings. Another noteworthy building in the Sanssouci park is the Chinesisches Teehaus, an oriental style teahouse constructed in 1756. It currently houses a collection of porcelain. The Dragon House was constructed between 1770 and 1772 in the Chinoiserie style on the northern edge of Sanssouci Park. The Friedenskirche (church of peace) was built by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV between 1845 and 1854. It was based on the Santa Maria Clemente church in Rome. Charlottenhof Palace is located southwest of Sanssouci Palace, in Sanssouci Park. It is most famous as the summer residence of Crown Prince Frederick William (later King Frederick William IV of Prussia). The Crown Prince charged the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel with the remodeling of an already existing farm house and the project was completed at low cost from 1826 through 1829.

15. Buildergalerie

19. The East Wing

25. Temple of Friendship

32. Dragon House

54. Charlottenhof

55. Charlottenhof

57. Images and text: Internet Music: Bach “Italian Concerto in F” (Presto)