Berlin: Charlottenburg Palace

Schloss Charlottenburg

After a long day of touring Berlin, and on the way back into the city from The Olympic Stadium, we stopped in Charlottenburg to visit the palace and search for dinner.  Parts of the palace are open to the public for a fee but had already closed for the day.  However, we were still able to see the grounds and garden (chances are that we wouldn't have paid to go inside anyway).

The Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg), located in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough, is the only remaining royal palace in Berlin.   It was originally commissioned by Sophie Charlotte, wife of Friedrich III, Elector of Brandenburg (Friedrich later crowned himself King Friedrich I of Prussia in 1701).  It was inaugurated in 1699.  At the time it consisted of one wing and 2 1/2 stories.

Charlottenburg Palace Orangerie

The palace was named Charlottenburg after Sophie Charlotte, who died in 1705.  The orangery was built in the years after her death.  The dome was also added to the center of the building at that time.

There is a wind vane in the form of a gilded statue on top to the dome.

The garden at Charlottenburg was designed in 1697 in the Baroque style.  It was redesigned in 1787 but was restored back to its former Baroque style after WWII.  The gardens are freely open to visitors today and are frequented by local residents and tourists alike.

Garden at Charlottenburg

Duck Pond at Charlottenburg

View of the garden and back of Charlottenburg Palace

Charlottenburg Palace was damaged during WWII but was later reconstructed.