Charlottenburg Palace

20-24 Spandauer Damm

Berlin’s showpiece schloss is one of the main sights in the Charlottenburg neighborhood. Initially a country house built for (the future) Queen Sophie Charlotte in 1695, it served as a summer residence for Prussian kings throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The grounds hold several distinctive, impressively restored buildings, including the Altes Schloss, with the sumptuous apartment of Friedrich Wilhelm IV and the baroque rooms of Friedrich I and Sophie Charlotte. The Neuer Flügel features a superb collection of works by Watteau in the Concert Room, and the Neuer Pavillon, designed by noted architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781‒1841), showcases an array of decorative arts and romantic paintings (some by Schinkel himself). If you don’t care to traipse through the interiors, explore the lovely English-style gardens.

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Schloss Charlottenburg | Charlottenburg Palace

Berlin’s showpiece schloss is one of the main sights in the Charlottenburg neighborhood. Initially a country house built for (the future) Queen Sophie Charlotte in 1695, it served as a summer residence for Prussian kings throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The grounds hold several distinctive, impressively restored buildings, including the Altes Schloss, with the sumptuous apartment of Friedrich Wilhelm IV and the baroque rooms of Friedrich I and Sophie Charlotte. The Neuer Flügel features a superb collection of works by Watteau in the Concert Room, and the Neuer Pavillon, designed by noted architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781‒1841), showcases an array of decorative arts and romantic paintings (some by Schinkel himself). If you don’t care to traipse through the interiors, explore the lovely English-style gardens.

Christmas Market at Schloss Charlottenburg

In West Berlin, the square and park in front of Charlottenburg Palace turns into an annual Christmas market, or Weihnachtsmarkt. One of the city’s largest, it’s also one of the most scenic. A light show is displayed on the front of the palace walls, with vendors in front selling crafts and other wintery specialities. The Christmas Market at Schloss Charlottenburg also has an area for younger children to enjoy some small rides. For the adults, try the glühwein (mulled wine) from one of the many vendors. The mugs (shown here) make a great souvenir! The Christmas market typically runs from the last week of November to the last week of December.

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