Potsdam Germany offers many cultural events throughout the year but one of my personal favorites is Potsdam’s Night of the Castles . This event is held each August and visitors enjoy live orchestra music, wine and a chance to walk the grounds and tour portions of the castles like royalty. The grounds are lit up beautifully and add to the fairy tale mood provided by the classical music and the castle’s beauty.
Potsdam Sanssouci Friedenskirche
The city of Potsdam keeps things running smoothly with extensive bus service going promptly throughout the evening and late into the night. The S-baun also adds to the efficiency and makes travel to and from the Potsdamer Schlossernacht fairly smooth and simple. I’m not going to lie, when I went there were huge numbers of people spread throughout the grounds of the castles we visited, but it was a lovely atmosphere and everyone was in good spirits.
The buses we took were on time and efficient but the one we departed on was JAMMED! Plan ahead and have a relaxed attitude about the wait. It is absolutely worth every minute of waiting. The castles are lit like a fairy tale and with the live chamber music on the grounds, some good German wine and a lover to enjoy it with it is quite a romantic and relaxing experience. You can walk under the stars and explore the castle grounds and take tours of portions of each castle on the Night of the Castles. Since 1990 the castles have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Potsdam Sanssouci
Potsdam Night of the Castle’s
August 20, 2010
Entry 40 euro Children under 14 are free.
Entry begins at 5 pm (1700) and the evening begins at 6 pm (1800)
Wine and snacks are available on the grounds, but picnics and wine are allowed to be brought in discreetly, I noticed when I attended.
Another site with English information on Potsdam’s Night of the Castles
Photo Credit Potsdam Sanssouci Friedenkirche Vince42