Alter Markt 1 | Directions & Visitor Information

Alter Markt 1 in Potsdam is much more than a sober address. Those searching for this place find themselves in the political and historical center of the city, as the Brandenburg State Parliament is located here in the reconstructed City Palace at the Old Market. For many people, the search for Alter Markt 1 is initially a practical concern: Where is the entrance, how to get there, where can one park, are there tours or a visitor's gallery, and is the building accessible? That is why it is worthwhile to organize the facts calmly. The location connects a well-known square, modern parliamentary architecture, and public visitor offerings. This creates a place that not only houses administration but also makes city history visible and allows visitors a real insight into the political life of Brandenburg. ([potsdam.de](https://www.potsdam.de/en/content/city-palace-landtag-brandenburg))

Directions, Access, and Parking at Alter Markt 1

Access to the parliamentary building is via the Old Market through the Fortuna Portal. The official address is Alter Markt 1, 14467 Potsdam. This is helpful for orientation on-site, as the building does not sit like a classic standalone structure on a quiet side street, but rather in a dense historical urban area that initially leads visitors to the square itself. The traffic guidance system shows the way in Potsdam from all directions, and from Potsdam Central Station, it is about a ten-minute walk or approximately 700 meters to the building. Those traveling by public transport can therefore arrive very directly and do not need to plan a complicated detour through the city center. This is particularly practical for appointments at the parliament, as the location remains easily accessible for last-minute visits and for people without cars. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/landtag_kennenlernen/gebaeude_und_verwaltung/anfahrt_zugang_und_oeffnungszeiten/25863))

When it comes to parking, a clear separation is important: There are no parking spaces available on the premises of the parliament. Instead, the city of Potsdam refers to about 70 paid parking spaces at Am Kanal for the Old Market; additionally, the city train station is about five minutes away and offers parking garages as well as S-Bahn connections to Berlin. For buses, there is a stop in front of the Film Museum on Breiten Straße, allowing groups to board and disembark in an orderly manner. Due to construction work in the vicinity of the parliament, the disabled parking spaces in front of the Potsdam Museum are currently not usable; holders of the blue, Europe-wide valid disabled parking permit can park at the Old Market. This mix of urban space, limited parking, and good public transport connections shows that careful planning is worthwhile, especially when several people are traveling together. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/landtag_kennenlernen/gebaeude_und_verwaltung/anfahrt_zugang_und_oeffnungszeiten/25863))

Visitor Tours, Plenary Hall, and Public Events

Alter Markt 1 is not only a political administrative location but also a house that consciously opens up insights to visitors. In regular operation, the Brandenburg State Parliament offers one-hour tours for individual visitors and small groups of up to 10 people. These tours usually take place twice a month on Fridays from 3 to 4 PM and can be reserved online up to three months in advance. The minimum number of participants is five people. For those who wish to not only see the place but also understand it, this is an important advantage, as the tour combines the architecture and the parliamentary function of the house. So, those searching for Alter Markt 1 often mean not just the location but also the opportunity to truly experience the building as part of an official visit. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/landtag_kennenlernen/besucherservice/angebote_fuer_einzelbesucher/-innen/25254))

The visitor's gallery of the plenary hall is another central attraction. Visitors who wish to attend plenary sessions receive a visitor card from the visitor service; this grants access to the gallery in the plenary hall. The public gallery offers 158 seats plus space for wheelchairs. In regular operation, individual visitors can follow the sessions of the parliament from there, provided they have reserved in advance; on the day of the plenary session itself, admission for unregistered guests is only possible subject to available seats. Groups, on the other hand, can book a plenary day program that consists of an introductory lecture, attendance at the debate, and a concluding discussion with members of parliament. This structure makes the location particularly exciting for school classes, clubs, and politically interested individuals, as architecture, democracy, and current debate come together in one place. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/landtag_kennenlernen/besucherservice/angebote_fuer_einzelbesucher/-innen/25254))

History of the City Palace and the Old Market

The current parliament stands at a location with exceptionally rich city history. The city of Potsdam describes the Old Market as the heart of the city, which was designed in the 18th century under Frederick the Great as an Italian-style square near the Havel. The marble obelisk was erected in 1753 and altered in 1979, so that several historical layers in the urban space are still visible today. At the same time, the Old Market is a place where loss and reconstruction become particularly evident. After the destruction on April 14, 1945, only four buildings of the historical ensemble survived the war; the ruins of the City Palace were demolished in 1959/60. Therefore, those experiencing the square today do not simply see a backdrop but a carefully assembled urban whole that has been reorganized from the fractures of the 20th century. ([potsdam.de](https://www.potsdam.de/en/alter-markt))

With the reconstruction of the Fortuna Portal in 2002, the visible return of the historical site began. Based on this, the new parliament was built, whose baroque facade recalls the former City Palace and whose interior meets the requirements of a modern parliament. The city of Potsdam emphasizes that this has closed a long gap in the cityscape and points out that the Dresden architect Peter Kulka has connected the historical appearance with the function of a contemporary parliamentary building. According to official city information, the facility was largely rebuilt after four years of construction based on historical models at the original site and was opened in January 2014. As a result, Alter Markt 1 is now a place where reconstruction is not abstract but spatially tangible: historical shell, democratic function, and public urban space directly interact here. ([potsdam.de](https://www.potsdam.de/en/content/city-palace-landtag-brandenburg))

Foyer, Cafeteria, Rooftop Garden, and Public Areas

Upon entering the building, visitors experience the parliament not just as an administrative place but as a publicly accessible house with clear visitor guidance. The path leads through the Fortuna Portal into the courtyard and from there directly into the entrance area and to the Knobelsdorff staircase. From there, the foyer and the parliament cafeteria are publicly accessible. The foyer hosts changing exhibitions and a touchscreen information system that provides visitors with an overview of the architecture and use of the building. Particularly attractive is the rooftop garden of the cafeteria with views of the Old Market, the Nikolaikirche, and the Old Town Hall. These public areas make the location interesting even if one does not wish to attend a session. One can perceive the building as a political address, as an architectural site, and as a viewpoint at the same time. Thus, a simple search for Alter Markt 1 quickly turns into a small tour through modern Potsdam. ([potsdam.de](https://www.potsdam.de/en/content/city-palace-landtag-brandenburg))

The offering is complemented by an audio tour with 16 stations. It is designed so that visitors can independently explore the publicly accessible areas, either via their smartphone or with a free audio device available for loan at the reception. The stations lead, among other things, to the models of the parliament, to the eastern staircase, to consultation rooms, into the lobby area, to the plenary hall, to the visitor's gallery, to the press rooms, to the third floor, and finally to the Fortuna Gate or the rooftop terrace area. This creates a tour that not only informs but also makes the spatial logic of the house comprehensible. This is particularly helpful for first-time visitors, as the architecture of the building is very consciously designed with pathways, sightlines, and public accessibility in mind. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/en/audio_tour_of_the_landtag_building/13364))

Accessibility, Orientation, and Practical Visitor Tips

The official information from the parliament clearly emphasizes that the public areas are accessible. Mentioned are easily reachable wheelchair spaces, induction loops for hearing aids, and orientation aids for visually impaired people. Additionally, there are Braille signs in the building, and an orientation system for blind and visually impaired persons begins at the Fortuna Portal and leads through the foyer to the visitor's gallery and the cafeteria. For many guests, this is a crucial point, as a visit is not limited to the outward visible impression but also ensures reliable usability inside. Those who inform themselves before a visit quickly realize that Alter Markt 1 does not function as a closed representative building but as a house that actively considers visitors. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/landtag_kennenlernen/gebaeude_und_verwaltung/anfahrt_zugang_und_oeffnungszeiten/25863))

Practical rules should also be known in advance. On public holidays, the parliamentary building remains closed, and bringing animals is not permitted, except for police service dogs and guide dogs. Since September 1, 2025, access on plenary session days for visitors depends on the deposit of an official photo ID; the ID is exchanged at the gate for a visitor pass, which must be visibly worn during the stay. For groups, the visitor service recommends a lead time of at least four weeks to ensure that the tour, discussion format, and appointment can be coordinated smoothly. These organizational tips may seem unremarkable but make the visit smoother and help plan the stay in the parliamentary building in a relaxed manner without misunderstandings. ([landtag.brandenburg.de](https://www.landtag.brandenburg.de/de/landtag_kennenlernen/gebaeude_und_verwaltung/anfahrt_zugang_und_oeffnungszeiten/25863))

Alter Markt as a Central Stage of Potsdam's City Center

The Old Market itself is an essential part of what makes Alter Markt 1 so interesting. The city describes the square as a central point in Potsdam's historical center between the Nikolaikirche, the new parliament building, the Potsdam Museum, and the Barberini Museum. At the same time, it is designated as an event location with around 3300 square meters of usable space, natural stone paving, and good public transport connections. For visitors, this means that here not only a single building is visited but an entire urban space that connects culture, administration, and urban experience. In practice, the Old Market is therefore an excellent starting point for a short tour as well as for a longer stay in the city center. Those arriving here stand in the midst of an ensemble that one does not just pass through but consciously observes. ([potsdam.de](https://www.potsdam.de/de/alter-markt-als-veranstaltungsort))

Particularly, the combination of the historical square, the reconstructed parliament, and the neighboring museums shapes the impact of the place. The Old Market is not a neutral traffic space but an urbanistically charged square where the history of Potsdam can almost be read in layers. Those who look up recognize the connection between the city church, town hall, obelisk, and parliament; those who move feel the proximity of the pathways and the clear order of the square. Therefore, it is worthwhile to understand the visit not just as an appointment at Alter Markt 1 but as part of a larger urban experience. Those seeking practical information can find it at the official offices. Those seeking atmosphere, architecture, and historical depth will find exactly that at the square itself. ([potsdam.de](https://www.potsdam.de/de/alter-markt-als-veranstaltungsort))

Sources:

• Brandenburg State Parliament – Directions, Access, and Opening Hours
• Brandenburg State Parliament – Offers for Individual Visitors
• Brandenburg State Parliament – Offers for Visitor Groups
• Brandenburg State Parliament – Audio Tour of the Landtag Building
• State Capital Potsdam – City Palace / Landtag of Brandenburg
• State Capital Potsdam – Alter Markt as an Event Location
• State Capital Potsdam – Old Market (Alter Markt)