Charlottenburg Palace is the former summer residence of Prussian monarchs. Located in the eponymous district, it can be reached by public transport. The building now houses collections of paintings and porcelain. Its gardens are open to the public.
A Visit to Charlottenburg Palace Is Optional
In the 17th century, the Holy Roman Empire suffered its greatest misfortune with the terrible Thirty Years' War. The following years saw a bold political reconstruction. In exchange for his support of the Emperor during the War of the Spanish Succession, the Prince-Elector of Brandenburg skillfully maneuvered to have himself recognized as King in Prussia in 1701.
While Königsberg was the capital, Berlin experienced an extraordinary boom from 1685 onwards, thanks to the influx of thousands of French Protestants fleeing persecution. In just a few years, the small town was transformed into a veritable city. Above all, Berlin became a major cultural center and an intellectual breeding ground for the Enlightenment.
The Prince's wife, Sophie-Charlotte, was not unmoved by Berlin. Married at a very young age, she distinguished herself by her intelligence and openness to the great European artistic and philosophical currents. Ambitious, she had a palace built just outside Berlin, inspired by the Versailles Palace near Paris, which had made a great impression on her during a visit in her youth. Sophie-Charlotte died prematurely in 1705. In a final tribute, Frederick I named the palace she had loved so much after his late wife: Charlottenburg. Five years later, Berlin finally became the capital of the kingdom.
In the heart of nature, the castle was the summer residence of the Prussian kings, before being abandoned by the German emperors and nationalized with the advent of the Republic in November 1918. Severely damaged during the Second World War, the palace was partly rebuilt and since the 1960s has been home to various museums and exhibitions.
Lighting Effects and Natural Spaces
The arrival on the forecourt of Charlottenburg Palace is quite spectacular. In fact, the palace is located right in the heart of the city, and the open spaces give the whole complex a pleasantly fresh feel. The tour covers three areas: the New Wing, the Old Castle and the Gardens.
The New Wing offers a unique tour through a succession of rooms in very different styles. The rooms are unevenly decorated with old tapestries, historical paintings and portraits of members of the aristocracy and royal family. The lack of unity reflects both the eclecticism of the monarchs and the limitations of post-war renovation work. Without original furnishings or those from other palaces, the castle too often feels empty. Some of the beautifully ornamented rooms are impressive to look at, but all too rarely.
The old castle opens onto the monarch's more intimate life. Under renovation for a long time, this second section is undoubtedly the most convincing, with the porcelain cabinet, the chapel and the bedrooms. The beautiful luminosity of the New Wing gives way to a subdued, more subdued atmosphere, producing a beautiful immersion, albeit limited by the evidence of the reconstructions.
In the immediate vicinity of the castle, the gardens give a glimpse of the French influence on the original design, and their original layout was entrusted to a Versailles gardener. But this is limited to the paths leading to the central pond. The rest of the natural spaces are more like a park, ultimately rather banal and sometimes poorly maintained. Fortunately, some viewpoints offer superb perspectives. Along the way, other buildings appear, such as the Belvedere and the Mausoleum.
A taste of Unfinished Business
Charlottenburg Palace suffered terribly from wartime bombing and looting during the Occupation. Dantean renovation work was undertaken to restore the palace and its interiors to their former splendor. Despite this, the results are mixed. The absence of authenticity demands a certain exhaustiveness, precisely to hide the imperfections of the copy. Rooms that are sometimes completely empty, on the contrary, highlight these imperfections.
The reproduction of original spaces becomes problematic when combined with a shaky, outdated museography. Some of the master's paintings and canvases would have deserved dedicated spaces so that visitors could enjoy them to the full. Instead, they give the impression of having been placed to conceal the banality of certain rooms. The spaces appear to compete rather than complement each other.
Finally, let's mention the astonishing sales policy. Not only is the base price very high, but it does not guarantee access to all the interior spaces. A full tour entails many extra charges. Only the gardens and park are open to the public. A family stroll, a leisurely stroll or a run is just what you need: Charlottenburg Palace is very attractive from the outside.
Reasons to Visit
Free access to the gardens
Brightly lit rooms
High-quality audio guide
Reasons to Skip
Shaky museography
Confusing emptiness
A questionable sales policy
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