King Frederick William II of Prussia had the Marble Palace Built between 1787 and 1791 as a royal summer residence in Potsdam, the palace features antique sculptures, Italian marble fireplaces, precious wooden floors, silk wall coverings, exquisite Wedgwood ceramics, and artistic furniture. Together with the elegant building, it forms an outstanding ensemble of early Neoclassicism in Central Europe. The palace remains a visible symbol of Frederick William II's reign, which was marked by a political and artistic awakening. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, which was built at the monarch's request as a modern building oriented towards antiquity.
From May 2025, new media offerings will make the Marble Palace to a vibrant place of knowledge transfer, making the visit an entertaining and informative experience. Political and social issues from the reign of Frederick William II are presented through exemplary case studies. These are topics that remain relevant today and have lost none of their urgency: the historical and social consequences of the French Revolution, the changing social role of women in the late 18th century, and the arbitrary redrawing of national borders. The history of neighboring Poland during the reign of Frederick William II is given particular attention as a focal point of Prussian expansionist policy. With the Third Partition of Poland in 1795, Poland was to disappear from the map of Europe for over a century, and Warsaw was to become a city within Prussia. This act of arbitrary power politics was closely linked to Prussia's ambitions for power on the European continent. A "Polish perspective" on Prussia under Frederick William II will therefore be a key element of the presentation. In addition to German and English, language courses will be offered specifically for Polish guests.
The whole South wing From May 2025, it will be open to the public as a museum, meaning visitors can explore it independently. Visitors will be able to enter this area without waiting, familiarize themselves with the history of the place and its inhabitants, and gain thematic insights into the reign of Frederick William II.
