Sanssouci is 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.
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 Communs building. 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.