Old Market - Potsdam's historic center

The Old Market with the State Parliament and its Fortuna Portal, St. Nicholas Church, the Egyptian Obelisk, the Museum Barberini and the Potsdam Museumform the heart of the baroque city of Potsdam.

The design ofThe Old Market is modeled after an Italian piazza. The St. Nicholas Church is also similar.It has an Italian model – St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the church was built in the Neoclassical style starting in 1830 and completed in 1850 by Ludwig Persius and August Stüler with its imposing tambour dome. The palmette gallery above the large columns offers visitors a fascinating view over the Old Market Square and the Baroque city center.
 
The Old Town Hall, which today houses the Potsdam Museum and presents the city's fascinating history, also has an Italian model. Built between 1753 and 55 by Johan Boumann, based on a design by the Italian architect Palladio, the town hall, with its impressive facade facing the Old Market Square, was commissioned by King Frederick II.
The dome's finial, featuring the golden Atlas bearing the globe, was modeled after a statue in Amsterdam. In 1776, just two years after its installation, the multi-ton lead figure toppled onto the Old Market Square and was subsequently recreated in lighter copper. Until 1875, the domed chamber served as the city prison. After 1945, the old town hall was rebuilt as a cultural center and, following German reunification, became the site of the new Potsdam Museum.

With the restoration of the square ensemble after 1990, the Old MarketIn recent years it has once again become one of the most beautiful Baroque squares in Europe.