Rheinsberg Palace
Brandenburg
Rheinsberg Palace, located on the eastern shore of Grienericksee lake in Brandenburg, Germany, is a masterpiece of Frederician Rococo architecture. Originally built on the site of a medieval moated castle, it was extensively expanded and refined in the 18th century under Crown Prince Frederick, later King Frederick the Great. The palace served as his residence from 1736 until his accession to the throne in 1740, a period he described as the happiest of his life. Its design influenced the famed Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. After Frederick, the palace was gifted to his brother Prince Henry, who further embellished the building and its surrounding park, adding a theater and commissioning notable architects like Carl Gotthard Langhans. Today, Rheinsberg Palace is a museum housing the Kurt Tucholsky Literature Museum and hosts the Rheinsberg Music Academy and International Opera Festival, making it a vibrant cultural site. The palace’s history, architecture, and picturesque lakeside setting combine to offer visitors a unique glimpse into Prussian heritage and 18th-century aristocratic life.
Plan your trip to Germany with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visit Rheinsberg Palace between April and October for full access to the palace, gardens, and cultural events. In winter, tours are available only with guided groups, primarily in German, so arranging a guided visit in advance is recommended. Tickets can be purchased online with options for family and reduced rates. The palace is partially wheelchair accessible. Consider timing your visit to coincide with the International Opera Festival or summer concerts for a richer cultural experience.
Interesting facts
- •Rheinsberg Palace served as the architectural model for Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam.
- •Frederick the Great described his years living at Rheinsberg as the "happiest of his life."
- •Prince Henry built a tomb shaped like a broken pyramid in the palace gardens where he was buried in 1802.
- •The palace theater attached in 1774 hosted operas performed by traveling drama groups with improvised orchestras.
- •The Rheinsberg obelisk honors Prince Augustus William of Prussia and several officers who served in the Silesian wars but fell out of favor with the king.
History
The site of Rheinsberg Palace was originally a medieval moated castle owned by the von Bredow family from 1464.
A Renaissance water castle was built there in 1566 but suffered damage during the Thirty Years' War.
Ownership changed hands several times before King Frederick William I acquired it in 1734 and gifted it to his son, Crown Prince Frederick.
Between 1736 and 1740, Frederick expanded and remodeled the palace in Frederician Rococo style.
After Frederick became king in 1740, his brother Prince Henry inherited the palace and further developed it, including adding a theater and embellishing the gardens.
The palace remained in Hohenzollern family hands until 1945.
Post-World War II, it was used as a diabetes clinic during East German times before being restored and reopened as a museum and cultural venue.
Place Guide
The Grand Palace1736-1740
The main building showcases Frederician Rococo architecture, including an upper floor added by architects Johann Gottfried Kemmeter and Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. Notable features include the Spiegelsaal (Mirror Hall) with the ceiling painting "The Day Drives Away Darkness" by Antoine Pesne, symbolizing a new dawn.
Prince Henry's Summer ApartmentMid to late 18th century
Located within the palace, this apartment was the residence of Prince Henry, Frederick the Great's brother. Henry expanded and embellished the palace and park, adding artistic and architectural elements reflecting his tastes.
Palace Theater1774
Attached to the cavalier house in 1774, this theater hosted traveling drama groups and operas with improvised orchestras. It remains a cultural venue today, hosting the International Opera Festival and other performances.
The Gardens and the Broken Pyramid TombLate 18th century
The palace gardens include Prince Henry's tomb, designed as a broken pyramid with a French inscription written by Henry himself. The gardens also feature the Rheinsberg obelisk commemorating notable military figures.
Contact
Phone: 033931 7260
