The gem of Bornstedt Crown Estate lies within easy walking distance of Sanssouci Palace Park. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former summer residence of the Hohenzollern Crown Prince Frederick William and his wife Victoria blends seamlessly into the world-famous ensemble of palaces and gardens of Potsdam.
The Great Elector had already acquired the land in 1664 and used it as an estate. After 1734, it was managed by the Great Military Orphanage. Following a fire in 1846, the building was reconstructed as a summer residence by the architect Johann Heinrich Haeberlin. Peter Joseph Lenné and Emil Sello were responsible for the design of the gardens. In addition to beautifying the landscape, the crown estate served as a model farm for showcasing agricultural and construction innovations. The estate's renovation was completed in 2002.
