My first time in Berlin dates from May 2015. Until September 2021 it was my only time. I know it’s odd. The capital of Germany is a centre of history, culture, clubbing, gay culture. It should have been a standard annual getaway. Berlin is a modern, quirky city with a reputation for being hip and trendy. I took time to look back on this first visit – with Frank – in 2015. 

Schloss Charlottenburg or Charlottenburg Palace is a baroque palace located in Charlottenburg, a district of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough.

The palace was built at the end of the 17th century and was greatly expanded during the 18th century. It includes much lavish internal decoration in baroque and rococo styles. 

A large formal garden surrounded by woodland was added behind the palace, including a belvedere, a mausoleum, a theatre and a pavilion. During World War II, the palace was badly damaged but has since been reconstructed. 

The palace with its gardens are a major tourist attraction.

History

The original palace was commissioned by Sophie Charlotte, wife of Friedrich I, Elector of Brandenburg in what was then the village of Lietzow. Named Lietzenburg, the palace was designed by Johann Arnold Nering in baroque style. Nering died during the construction of the palace and the work was completed by Martin Grünberg and Andreas Schlüter. 

Friedrich crowned himself as King Friedrich I in Prussia in 1701. Friedrich II, known as Frederick the Great, would later achieve the title King of Prussia. 

Sophie Charlotte died in 1705 and Friedrich named the palace and its estate Charlottenburg in her memory.

The palace was badly damaged in 1943. In 1951, the war-damaged Stadtschloss in East Berlin was demolished and, as the damage to Charlottenburg was at least as serious, it was feared that it would also be demolished. 

But that did not happen. 

From 2004 till early 2006, Charlottenburg Palace was the seat of the President of Germany, whilst Schloss Bellevue was being renovated.

Information and tickets. 

Potsdam & Berlin 2015

1. BERLIN 2015 | Potsdam.
2. BERLIN 2015 | Museum and memorials.
3. BERLIN 2015 | Ostalgie.
4. BERLIN 2015 | The Reichstag, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Berlin Cathedral.

Potsdam & Berlin 2021

1. POTSDAM 2021 | Schloss Sanssouci.
2. 1945 Potsdam Conference’s Cecilienhof Palace.
3. Potsdam 2021.
4. REVIEW | InterContinental Berlin.
5. BERLIN 2021 | Pergamon, ‘Das Panorama’.
6. BERLIN 2021 | Humboldt Forum in the Berlin Palace.
7. BERLIN 2021 | The Bundestag in the Reichstag.
8. Berlin 2021.