Old Fritz – By Bike through the UNESCO World Heritage
Following in the footsteps of Frederick II, popularly known as Old Fritz, you can immerse yourself in the magic of Potsdam's palaces and gardens. The rich UNESCO World Heritage Site still preserves the splendor of bygone eras. It tells of the longings of former rulers and impresses its visitors to this day with its diversity and its imposance.
The bike tour starts in Potsdam's historic center, the Old Market Square. The Old Fritz once had it redesigned according to the model of an Italian piazza. On Breite Straße, we pass the Steam Engine House, which resembles a mosque, and head toward Sanssouci Park. At the sight of Charlottenhof Palace, you can feel the breath of Italy. And in the distance you can already spy the imposing dome of the New Palace. Frederick II used this as a prestigious guest house and deliberately staged it, while Sanssouci Palace remained his very private summer residence. In accordance with his own wishes, Frederick's tomb is located on the top palace terrace right next to his dearly beloved dogs. To this day, guests regularly lay potatoes here in remembrance. From the palace, the bike tour continues along the historic Voltaireweg past the Russian Colony Alexandrowka to the New Garden. Frederick's successor, Frederick William II, created his own summer residence there in the modern classicist style with the Marble Palace. The gardener Johann August Eyserbeck was responsible for the design of the New Garden. From here, the route leads past Cecilienhof Palace, which became the site of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, back to the city center. Back in the city center, the Dutch Quarter with its cozy flair is a relaxing end point of the tour.
Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
Length: approx. 16 km
Start/Destination: Old Market
Arrival/departure by public transport: Potsdam main station or Alter Markt/Landtag
Trail conditions: asphalted, well paved
Getting there:
by bicycle (a service of komoot GmbH)
by public transport (a service of VBB)
by train (a service of Bahn AG)
All about local traffic
Features and categories:
