Cecilienhof Palace

　　Cecilienhof Palace is situated at the northern end of the Neuer Garten (New Garden) park area in Potsdam, Brandenburg. It was built by German Emperor Wilhelm II of Prussia for his eldest son, Crown Prince Wilhelm Friedrich, and his daughter-in-law, Duchess Cecilie. It is one of Germany’s most famous palaces.

　　The palace is world-renowned primarily because it was the site of the Potsdam Conference held from July 17 to August 2, 1945, attended by U.S. President Truman, British Prime Minister Churchill, and Soviet leader Stalin. On July 26, 1945, President Truman and Prime Minister Churchill issued the Potsdam Declaration here, outlining the terms for Japan’s “unconditional surrender.”

　　Built between 1914 and 1917, Cecilienhof Palace is a distinctive English Tudor-style country house. Despite having 175 rooms, the building looks more like a countryside villa than a grand palace from the outside. The structure features ochre-colored walls and red-tiled roofs, with five inner courtyards and a total of 175 rooms. In 1990, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and in 2011, it was awarded the European Heritage Label.

　　On May 30, 2007, Cecilienhof Palace served as the venue for the G8 Summit. On November 3, 2004, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited the site. Several Chinese national leaders have also included a visit to the Potsdam Conference historic site as an important part of their trips to Germany.

　　Schloss Cecilienhof Reason to visit: One of Germany’s most famous palaces Continent: Europe Country/Region: Germany State/Province: Brandenburg City: Potsdam