Charlottenberg Palace

History: Charlottenberg Palace started in 1695 as Lietzenburg Palace, a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte. At Lietzenburg Palace, she hosted many philosophers and artists, earning the palace its nickname “Palace of Muses”. After her death, her husband, King Frederick I of Prussia, renamed the palace to Charlottenberg in her honor. He was inspired by the Palace of Versailles, and expanded Charlottenberg palace until his death. Construction stopped until Frederick the Great, who commissioned the New Wing, which includes the Golden Gallery and White Hall. Napoleon occupied Charlottenberg palace during his rule of Prussia. Further expansion would happen in the 19th century, adding the Neoclassical Mausoleum and the New Pavilion. The last royal resident of the palace was Frederick III, in 1888. During the Second World War, Nazis looted the palace’s art and moved it to Königsberg Castle in 1941. The palace was severely damaged by Allied bombing raids in 1943, with large sections destroyed by fire.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/8d7432_a54504957fa74bcd80e1737e26751e9e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

A video depicting the bombing of Charlottenberg Palace.

The art in Königsberg Castle was packaged and was meant to be shipped back to Charlottenberg Palace, but a fire at Königsberg Castle destroyed much of the art.

A photo comparing Charlottenberg Palace after bombing, and how it is today.

There were talks of demolishing the palace, but the efforts of Margaret Kühn, a palace manager, saw it restored instead. The restoration took several decades. Today, the palace stands as a tourist attraction in Berlin, where you can take a tour or walk around freely.

Charlottenberg Palace today.

My Visit: I was chiefly interested in visiting Charlottenberg Palace to understand how it survived WWII.  When I arrived at Charlottenberg Palace, I was amazed by the outside of the royal palace. It was grand, with several gardens around it. When I entered the palace, I was greeted by tons of art, including paintings and sculptures.

A photo of the church within Charlottenberg Palace.

I spent around an hour looking at the art, as the palace is big. Then, I walked to the gardens. The gardens were well maintained, and they certainly looked like they belonged in a royal palace. While I was at Charlottenberg Palace, I felt astonished. This place is extremely ornate; how was it not looted more? How does it still stand? After I was done, I headed back to my hotel, concluding my trip to Berlin.

Photo Gallery:

A photo of the palace garden from the palace.

One of the rooms in Charlottenberg Palace, with Napoleon Crossing the Alps

The grand ballroom of Charlottenberg Palace.

One of the halls within the palace.

One of the most ornate rooms within the whole palace.