When does the tour take place?

On October 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the New Palace in Potsdam.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is the Visitor Center New Palace at the New Palace in Potsdam.

How much is the admission price?

The regular price is 14 Euros, reduced price is 12 Euros.

Is the event barrier-free?

The tour is conditionally wheelchair accessible. The ground floor is accessible by wheelchair; a wheelchair is available in the palace.

What is the best way to travel there?

The stop Potsdam, New Palace is in close proximity. For cars and buses, there are paid parking spaces at parking lot P3.

Are there fixed entry times?

Yes, visiting the New Palace is bound to fixed entry times.

A Castle Tells of War, Art, and Memory at the New Palace

Name: New Palace: Art and War
Start: 2026-10-21T18:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-21T19:30:00+02:00
Location: Neues Palais

Art and War at the New Palace: an Evening Between Splendor, Loss, and Memory

The tour Art and War at the New Palace opens on October 21, 2026, an unusually intense look at one of the most significant locations of Prussian residence culture. Central are the traces of the occupation after April 1945, the looting of artworks, the destruction of historical furnishings, and the still visible graffiti in the palace.

A Castle as a Stage of History

The New Palace is not a neutral museum space but a monument of political representation. Frederick the Great had it built after the Seven Years' War as a symbol of state power. For this reason, the examination of the works here unfolds special tension: Between the Marble Hall, the King's Apartment, and the precious interiors, it becomes visible how closely power, art, and historical self-presentation are connected.

Provenance, Loss, and Current Questions

The expert-guided tour with Dr. Ulrike Schmiegelt-Rietig and Corinna Kuhr-Korolev combines provenance research with cultural history. It illuminates the paths of looted art, the consequences of war and occupation, and the long-term effects on collections and monument preservation. In the context of the 20th century, the New Palace thus gains a second reading: as a place of splendor and at the same time as an archive of injuries.

Spatial Impact, Materiality, and Silent Traces

Upon entering the palace, one experiences an impressive exhibition atmosphere of Rococo, Baroque, and courtly staging. Gilding, stucco, wall surfaces, and restored sequences of rooms create a dense aesthetic experience. The preserved traces of war and occupation have a stronger impact, not destroying the historical ambiance but enriching it with an additional, thoughtful depth.

Why a Visit is Worthwhile

This tour is aimed at art enthusiasts, history lovers, and all who understand cultural education as a lively engagement with original sites. The New Palace shows how art history, culture of remembrance, and restoration work intersect in a single tour. Those who engage in this evening do not experience a mere castle visit but an intense conversation with history.

Conclusion: Art and War at the New Palace promises an enlightening evening full of historical depth, architectural beauty, and critical perspectives. This tour makes visible how much art places are shaped by political upheavals. Anyone who wants to truly understand Potsdam's cultural history should not miss this date.