The New Palace: It's the most impressive palace ensemble in Potsdam, boasting rich interiors. It now reveals its newly restored festival room to the public.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Settnik
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The artistry of the Grotto Hall in Potsdam
After undergoing thorough restoration, the rich stateroom in the New Palace in Sanssouci Park is revealed to the public.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Settnik
A great Prussian palace
It's part of an impressive World Heritage ensemble: The Grotto Hall, or "Grottensaal," in the New Palace in Potsdam underwent extensive restoration and will now reopen to the public. The palace was built to showcase the power of King Friedrick the Great (1712-1786).
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Hirschberger
Sumptuous festival hall
The Grotto Hall is one of the four grand staterooms in the New Palace. Built at the end of the 18th century, it attests to the high level of artistry of the time.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Settnik
Necessary renovations
The decaying wooden beams were threatening the stability of the marble structure. Without renovation, the ceiling of the hall could have collapsed.
Image: Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg/Wolfgang Pfauder
Rococo delight
Over 24,000 minerals, fossils, Shells, and semi-precious stones are encrusted in the room's walls. These decorative elements were collected by Prussian kings and princes.
Image: Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg/Wolfgang Pfauder
Legendary creations
Such mythical creatures adorn the ceiling of the Grotto Hall.
Image: Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg/Wolfgang Pfauder
Further restoration to come
The restoration of the historic ceiling paintings required detailed research. Further projects to preserve the treasures of the World Heritage site are planned until 2017. Altogether around 26 million euros are to be invested in the restoration of the New Palace over 10 years.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Settnik
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The majestic Grotto Hall in the New Palace in Sanssouci Park reopens to visitors on Wednesday (22.07.2015).
This exceptional hall showcases majestic paintings, chandeliers, statues and fountains. Its marble walls were encrusted with over 24,000 shells, semi-precious stones, and fossils.
The New Palace was erected from 1763 until 1769 to illustrate the power of King Friedrick the Great after the end of the Seven Year's War. It is considered the last great Prussian baroque palace.
The nearly 250-year-old Grotto Hall was completely restored as its 600-ton marble structure was endangered by decaying beams. Further restoration of the Potsdam World Heritage palace is also planned in the future.
Altogether, around 26 million euros will be invested in the New Palace over 10 years.
