San Souci

San Souci in Potsdam is similar to Versailles in France with its extensive gardens, follies, galleries, pavilions, mini palaces fountains and orangeries. It is more Rococo in style than its French rival which is more in the Baroque style. We had a stunning day there on our way to Berlin. Pictures or words can’t do justice to the extent of this complex originally built by Fredrick the Great, King of Prussia. A most touching sight is a collection of simple gravestones of Fredrick the Great’s dogs, along with a stone with his plaque. The story goes that King wanted to be buried in the garden with his dogs but his great nephew didn’t fulfil his uncle’s wishes and had him buried elsewhere. Fredrick the Great was re-buried here only in 1991.

 

 

 

Gold Chinese Folly

Gold Chinese Folly

Europe here we come….

Hamelin Rathaus

We set off from Apeldoorn with Mike and Kay, Maja and Henk our Silk Road travelling buddies. We had a long day ahead of us before we reached Magdeburg Germany. To break the journey we stopped in Hameln (Hamelin) famous for the Pied Piper. We arrived just in time to enjoy the food stalls and music.  A very pretty town, the building are mainly of wood which has been intricately carved and painted. Stunning. On the streets if you look carefully you can see little brass tiles of rats inlaid into the cobblestones. they have certainly embraced the Pied Piper theme.

Hamelin Rathaus

In the photos you can see the statute of the Pied Piper, town hall with bells and Peter and our friends preparing to leave Apeldoorn. And one of the food stalls sold beautifully iced  heart shaped gingerbread treats. Here we enjoyed a traditional bratwurst sausage, coffee and cake.

After a restful night in Magdeburg we set off for Berlin – only a short distance but once again we were side tracked to the magnificent Palace and Park of San Souci  in Potsdam – Summer Palace of Fredrick the Great and his son and nephew. Absolutely stunning and we spent a huge amount of time wandering through the grounds, admiring the gushing fountains, the numerous follies and the many different Baroque, and Rococo palaces which are scattered across a vast area of a stream, lake, ponds and forests. there are even terraces of vines and hot houses leading up to the main Schloss.