City Palace Potsdam

The Potsdam City Palace, located in Potsdam, Germany, on the Old Market Square near St. Nicholas' Church, served as the winter residence of successive rulers of Brandenburg-Prussia from 1662 until its destruction during World War II. The Baroque palace was built between 1662 and 1669 under Prince-Elector Friedrich Wilhelm and later reconstructed in the Rococo style between 1744 and 1752 by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff for Frederick II.

During World War II, the palace was heavily damaged by fire in 1943 but remained standing until 1960, when it was demolished under orders from East Germany's government. The site remained vacant until reconstruction efforts began in 1996 following reunification. The project faced significant challenges, including opposition, funding shortages, and debates over historical authenticity.

The reconstruction aimed to restore the palace's Baroque exterior while incorporating modern elements inside. A major breakthrough came when software mogul Hasso Plattner donated €20 million toward the project, enabling the full restoration of the historic facades and roof using original materials, such as copper.

Completed in late 2013, the reconstructed palace now houses the parliament of the federal state of Brandenburg. Its modern interior contrasts with its restored Baroque exterior, which features an inscription on one wall: "Ceci n'est pas un château" ("This is not a palace"), referencing René Magritte's painting *The Treachery of Images*.