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Cecilienhof – Potsdam Conference
Cecilienhof Palace in Potsdam is internationally recognized as the site of the 1945 Potsdam Conference, which determined the reorganization of Europe following World War II. The palace was built between 1913 and 1917 by order of Emperor Wilhelm II for his son, Crown Prince Wilhelm, and his wife, Cecilie. It stands as the final palace constructed by the Hohenzollern dynasty, designed in the English country house style featuring numerous decorative chimneys and half-timbered brickwork. From July 17 to August 2, 1945, the "Big Three", Harry S. Truman, Joseph Stalin, and Winston Churchill (later replaced by Clement Attlee), gathered here to discuss the denazification and division of Germany. The conference concluded with the Potsdam Agreement, which fundamentally shaped the political and geographical future of the continent. The palace contains 176 rooms, many of which have been preserved in their original state from the conference period for museum exhibitions. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, Cecilienhof attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The estate is positioned within the expansive New Garden park, adjacent to Lake Heiliger See.
- Location: Brandenburg, Germany
- Top sights: Belvedere auf dem Pfingstberg · Pfingstberg · Lepsius House Potsdam
- Nearby: Werder (Havel) (10 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 54 | 38 | 40 | 29 | 53 | 57 | 81 | 58 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 48 |
📋 Practical info
History & landmarks
ww2
1945
Geography
Facts
- Completion of the palace in 1917 as the last Hohenzollern building
- Potsdam Conference held from July 17 to August 2, 1945
- The palace contains a total of 176 representative rooms
- Attendance of the 'Big Three' (Truman, Stalin, Churchill/Attlee)
- Architecture in English country house style (Tudor) with half-timbering
- Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Cecilienhof – Potsdam Conference (10)
Königliches Landhaus am Pfingstberg
Ruins of a royal country house on Pfingstberg.
Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church
Alexander Nevsky Memorial Chapel.
Pfingstkirche⛪ church
Pfingstkirche is a church building in Potsdam.
Mirbach-Wäldchen🌳 park
A small wooded area in Potsdam, named after a noble family.
Villengarten
Garden with villa character in Potsdam.
Biosphäre Potsdam
Botanical garden with tropical plants inside a large dome hall.
Circus und Zeltpunkt Montelino
Circus and theatre tent with changing programs.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What happened here in 1945?
Can you visit the conference hall?
In what architectural style is the palace built?
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Is there an audio guide?
Cecilienhof – Potsdam Conference: where is it located?
Cecilienhof – Potsdam Conference: what is there to see?
Cecilienhof – Potsdam Conference: when is the best time to visit?
Cecilienhof – Potsdam Conference: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
