It was on the spot decision to go to Potsdam hence I was not prepared at all. The train ride from Warschauer Strasse station to Postdam took me nearly an hour. Once arrived at the station, I went to the tourist office to ask for a map but it was not open till 10minutes later. Unfortunately, there is no free map! (is even more expensive if buy from machine near the Sanssouci Palace). The day ticket that I purchased in Berlin covers the public transport in Potsdam too (need to buy Zon A+B). Took a bus to Sanssouci Palace but mistakenly got down one stop later in front of Orangery Palace. So I walked with another tourist who missed the stop like me towards the Palace. We cut through the Frederician garden and passed by the New Chambers before reaching the main ground of the palace.
Sanssouci Palace built in 1744 (means carefree in french) was the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. The town of Potsdam, with its palaces, was a favourite place of residence for the German imperial family until the fall of the Hohenzollern dysnasty in 1918. Sanssouci Palace is a small lovely palace decorated with Rococo style. My favourite room is the last room with bird motif designs on the wall. The park is massive and it encompasses Sicilian Garden, Frederician Garden and the main avenue (Hauptallee) that leads to the New Palace and Temple of Friendship. It took nearly an hour to explore the Chinese House, Roman baths, Charlottenhof palace (Queen's palace), Church of Peace, Neptune's grotto and the rest of the park.
Sansoucci Palace Park
Left Potsdam past noon time to return to Berlin. Reached Hackescher Markt and walked along River Spree towards the famous Museumsinsel, a museum island of 5 museums: Neues Museum, Bode Museum, Alte Nationalgalerie, Altes Museum and Pergamon Museum. Due to time limitation, I only visited Pergamon Museum. It is a world class archaeological museum with reconstruction of Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, Ishtar Gate and Procession Way of Babylon, Mschatta facade, Aleppo Room , Islamic Art Museum, etc. I really love this museum, it is probably the best museum I have ever visited.
Pergamon Altar
After the museum, I walked along Unter den Linden road and crossed the Bebel Platz to reach Charlie Checkpoint, previously a checkpoint for diplomats, military personnels and tourists that want to enter East Berlin. Next, I walked along River Spree towards Reichstag (parliament) before visiting Bradenburg Tor and the nearby Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered European Jews). Lastly, a brief stop at Postdamer Platz and Charlottenburg Gate before heading back to my hostel.
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