Potsdam: Palaces, Policy, and Princeton

There are famous places that surprise you by their scale. Sanssouci is one of them.

For a palace that shaped European history and served as the beloved summer retreat of Frederick the Great, Sanssouci feels remarkably intimate. Its pink Rococo walls, gilded chinoiserie, and terraced vineyards create less the impression of a grand imperial residence than of an elegant country home designed for conversation. It is fitting, then, that more than twenty members of the Princeton Alumni Association of Germany gathered there on June 19 to begin a weekend devoted to the same spirit.

Like Princeton Reunions, the weekend had a way of making the world feel smaller. Undergraduates, recent graduates, longtime alumni, family members, and friends came together from across Germany and beyond to explore one of Europe's most remarkable cultural landscapes while enjoying the easy camaraderie that defines the Princeton community.

Our visit to Sanssouci offered more than an introduction to the life of Frederick the Great. It also recalled the palace's role as a meeting place for some of the Enlightenment's leading thinkers, including Voltaire, who spent time at Frederick's court. Conversations among alumni drifted effortlessly from public policy and current affairs to languages, history, and even the evolution of ancient and modern Greek—a reminder that intellectual curiosity remains one of Princeton's enduring hallmarks.

From the palace, the group wandered through vineyards, gardens, and shaded woodland paths before descending the cobblestone streets into the historic center of Potsdam. Dinner at De Levante, a Syrian restaurant, became a leisurely evening of shared mezze, lively discussion, and new friendships formed around a common table.

The following day expanded the historical lens. Participants explored the monumental Neues Palais, Frederick's statement of Prussian confidence following the Seven Years' War, whose lavish halls and galleries reveal a striking contrast to the intimacy of Sanssouci. Highlights included richly restored paintings, ornate ceremonial rooms, and the celebrated Grotto Hall, decorated with thousands of shells, minerals, semi-precious stones, and fossils collected from around the world.

No visit to Potsdam is complete without experiencing its waterways. Under warm summer skies—and with only a brief rain shower that felt more refreshing than disruptive—the group boarded a boat for a cruise through the lakes linking Potsdam and Berlin. Along the shoreline rose an extraordinary panorama of neoclassical villas, romantic castles, wooded parks, and grand estates. The journey passed Babelsberg Palace, the former residences of prominent Berlin families, and the now-unassuming Glienicke Bridge, forever remembered as the "Bridge of Spies."

The cruise concluded at the Max Liebermann Villa on the shores of the Wannsee. During a private English-language tour, participants explored the home and gardens of one of Germany's most influential Impressionist painters. Walking through Liebermann's carefully restored flower and vegetable gardens before descending to the lakeshore offered an intimate glimpse into the artistic world that inspired many of his most celebrated works. Nearby stood another reminder of history's darker chapters: the Wannsee Villa, where Nazi officials planned the so-called "Final Solution," lending the surrounding landscape an unmistakable historical weight.

That evening, alumni gathered for a Sekt reception overlooking the water before hearing from Thorsten Benner, co-founder and director of the Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin. His thought-provoking remarks sparked a lively discussion that continued over dinner, reflecting Princeton's tradition of rigorous debate and engagement with global affairs.

The final morning shifted from palaces to the city itself. Guided by Michael Winkelmann, with English translation provided by alumnus James Fischer, participants explored Potsdam's historic center, tracing its evolution from royal residence to vibrant cultural capital. Among the many highlights was the statue of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the Prussian officer whose military training proved instrumental to the success of the Continental Army during the American Revolution—a fitting reminder of the longstanding ties between Germany and the United States.

The 2026 PAAG Summer Event once again demonstrated what makes the Princeton Alumni Association of Germany special. The weekend blended history, art, politics, and culture with the simple pleasure of reconnecting with fellow Princetonians. Whether discussing Enlightenment philosophy beneath the terraces of Sanssouci, cruising the lakes between Potsdam and Berlin, or exchanging ideas over dinner, participants experienced the enduring value of intellectual curiosity, lifelong friendship, and shared discovery.

The Association extends its sincere thanks to Wolfgang Konrad and Donat von Müller, whose local knowledge, careful planning, and generous hospitality made the weekend possible, as well as to everyone who helped organize an outstanding program that showcased the rich history and beauty of Potsdam and Berlin.

Lachlyn Soper-Lembke

lachlyn@alumni.princeton.edu