Cecilienhof Palace

Potsdam’s Cecilienhof Palace (Schloss Cecilienhof) was the last palace built by the House of Hohenzollern, the dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire until the end of World War I. These days, the former home of Crown Prince Wilhelm is best known for the role it played as the location for the Potsdam Conference of 1945, during which the leaders of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States (The ‘Big Three’) negotiated the terms for the end of WWII. 
Today, the 176-room castle is an historic memorial and museum where visitors can tour the impressive working rooms where the conference took place. Schloss Cecilienhof is located in the northern part of the large Neuer Garten park, close to the shore of the Jungfernsee (Virgins’ Lake). The lake, once a glacial kettle, is now a part of the River Havel. Lunch or dinner can be found right on the lake at the former working dairy, now a hearty restaurant and brewery called the ‘Gasthausbrauerei Meierei im Neuen Garten.’

Practical Info

Schloss Cecilienhof is about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) north of Potsdam's town center in the New Garden district, an area of lake- and riverfront parks and villas. Schloss Cecilienhof  is easy to reach by car, by bicycle, or by public transportation. (Or on foot, if you don't mind a little bit of walking.)