A walk along Mulbeerallee

On this walk, I'll take you along Potsdam's Mulberry Avenue. It starts at the Historic Mill near Sanssouci Palace and ends at the New Palace. The stately buildings and gardens along the Mulberry Avenue inspire with their diverse Mediterranean vegetation, evoke an Italian flair, and showcase the wine culture dating back to the time of Frederick II.

On the history of silk production

The mulberry tree has become a true native of Potsdam. It was cultivated not only here, but throughout Brandenburg. This wasn't due to the tree's delicious, sweet fruit. Rather, it was the leaves – the favorite food of silkworms. The Hohenzollern dynasty cultivated mulberries to fulfill their dream of producing their own silk.

Although the Brandenburg climate proved less than ideal for cultivating mulberry trees and raising silkworms was arduous work, silk production developed into an important economic factor in Brandenburg from the 17th century onward. As early as 1685, the Great Elector Frederick William established the first plantations of white mulberry trees in Potsdam. The French Huguenots, who immigrated to Brandenburg under the Edict of Tolerance of 1685, brought with them, in particular, the knowledge of silk production.

Frederick William I, the "Soldier King," had silk produced for the manufacture of stockings, hairbands, and for embroidering medals for the entire army. Frederick II professionalized silk production through increased control, division of labor, training, and financial support for silk producers. He promoted silk production with great ambition and strict discipline. His goal was to make Prussia independent of expensive silk imports. To this end, he "desired" the diligent participation of every farmer in cultivation. Every mulberry tree counted and was precious for silk production. Cutting down mulberry trees was a punishable offense.
However, the farmers were overwhelmed by the laborious and demanding work of raising and feeding the delicate silkworms. A single silkworm required enormous quantities of mulberry leaves, without which it could not survive. Even the pupils of the former military orphanage had to obey the royal order and were the main workers harvesting the leaves during the summer months. Potsdam and Berlin formed the center of silk production in Prussia.
The mulberry plantations were located at the Lange Brücke in Potsdam, in Geltow, in Sacrow and in Bornim. Around 600.000 trees are said to have existed in Brandenburg during the reign of Frederick II, and over 1 million mulberry trees in all of Prussia.

Frederick II deliberately chose his favorite city, Potsdam, to showcase his luxury commodity, silk. He displayed the most beautiful creations and the highest quality sample collection in the New Palace, where numerous silk fabrics can still be admired today as wallpapers, curtains, and furniture coverings. Despite these many efforts, silk production in Brandenburg ultimately did not become a profitable industry. Napoleon lifted the import ban after his victory over Prussia in 1806, which led to the introduction of cheaper products from France and thus to the decline of silk production.

One of Potsdam's last remaining "natives" is a white mulberry tree in Weberplatz in Potsdam-Babelsberg. With a circumference of approximately 3,7 meters, it is a designated natural monument of Potsdam. The Mulberry Avenue at Sanssouci Park, however, only bears its name as a historical legacy. During the park's redesign in the 19th century, the trees that gave the avenue its name were replaced by linden trees. Only two of the old mulberry trees can still be found on the street today.

You can stroll through a picturesque avenue of mulberry trees in the Lenné-designed fields. The historic mulberry tree population was expanded by 200 trees in 1997 in preparation for the 2001 Federal Garden Show. A walk through the fields offers not only the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent expanse of the landscape, but also, in June and July, the sweet and juicy experience of tasting the berries.

The most beautiful places along the mulberry avenue

The design of the mulberry avenue dates back to King Frederick William IV's longing for Italy, inspired by his grandiose building projects in Potsdam. The two gardens laid out as counterparts along the mulberry avenue – the Sicilian and Nordic Garden – form a southern and northern contrast with their respective plant species.   
You enter the Sicilian Garden through the Lion Gate. The garden is bordered by a so-called "retaining wall" for the antique sculptures, which is then crowned with a sea lion fountain on the wall's balustrade. From here, a Mediterranean garden flourishes with palm trees and subtropical potted plants, the sound of trickling fountains, and dense pergolas.

The longing for Italy is particularly evident in the Sicilian Garden. The beautiful vista designed by landscape architect Peter Josef Lenné establishes the connection to Italy. Nordic Garden On the other side of the mulberry avenue, you'll find the Nordic Garden. You can reach it through the rock gate with the eagle figure that has caught a snake. The Nordic Garden offers a viewing platform overlooking the garden parterre, which features two more Potsdam exotics: male and female ginkgo trees. These exotic trees from China, which thrive in any climate and are considered particularly resistant to heat, fire, and pests, were also popular with the Prussian kings and integrated throughout Sanssouci Park. Ginkgo trees can live for 1.000 years.

The bright yellow foliage creates a striking contrast to the surroundings, especially in autumn. While the trees are beautiful, their ripe, yellow, mirabelle-like fruits emit a pungent and unpleasant odor. If you come into contact with these fruits, the smell will linger for a long time.

The Orangery Palace is the highlight on Maulbeerallee

Let's continue our walk to the Orangery Palace. From the Mulberry Avenue, you can reach the Orangery Palace via the Imperial Jubilee Terrace. King Frederick William IV, also known as the "Romantic on the Throne" and an amateur architect, realized his grandiose "Triumphal Via" project here, as already mentioned. This included the construction of the Orangery Palace. The palace was built based on his sketches, modeled after the Villa Medici in Rome and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Built in 1861, the palace features a Serliana (round arch) and the colonnades of a prominent central section. In the elongated western and eastern plant halls, the orangeries, numerous exotic plants survive the winter months. Once these exotic plants awaken from their winter dormancy, they are moved in tubs to the summer terrace. The magnificent display of blossoms on the orangery terrace, the fragrant plants, and the small herb gardens offer a truly special experience in summer!
Like all Italian villas, the Orangerie Palace boasts a rich array of facade sculptures. The allegorical figures depict the seasons, personifying the months and the arts. For me, one of the most beautiful sculptures on the terrace is the bronze figure of Victoria, seated and throwing a wreath, with angel wings.

During the summer months, the Orangery Palace provides a truly enchanting backdrop for classical concerts and events, such as the famous Potsdam Palace Night.

The walk comes to an end with a visit to the Paradise Garden Nearing its end. As the name suggests, King Frederick William IV established a retreat for his family here. He called the garden, with its Italianate stibadium (small temple) featuring an integrated impluvium (a water basin for collecting rainwater) and a marble cascade, his "Paradise Garden." Here, too, he created a touch of Italy! In the 18th century, a mulberry plantation also occupied this site. Today, the Paradise Garden belongs to the Botanical Garden of the University of Potsdam. 

A royal end to the walk

After a long walk along the mulberry avenue, a climb to the former royal vineyard and a visit to the Dragon House are highly recommended. This former garden pavilion of the vintner at the court of Frederick the Great was built in the style of a Chinese pagoda and now houses an upscale restaurant. On its sunny terrace, right next to the vineyard, you can end your walk with a glass of "Regent" wine (from the restored Royal Vineyard Potsdam) – with a touch of Italy in mind.