Visit to Potsdam ( A UNESCO World Heritage City) - A special Day.

We had booked an excursion to Potsdam without any real knowledge but having the expectation that this city outside Berlin was something special.

After an early breakfast we departed the Hotel and we were dropped off at an address in the key Retail area of Berlin , where we were to be met by a guide and a large/ not full size Black Bus. This turned out to be an accurate description and we were 2 of 12 people who were to undertake the tour and then return to the same pick up and drop off point. We boarded, having been advised that we will depart in 10 minutes and we have a 45 minute drive out of Berlin through the spectacular forests and garden areas along 2 rivers.

The City of Potsdam is a city of parks and palaces on the idyllic waters of the Havel, a city of culture, refinement,a centre of fil, education and science, characterised by a 1,000 year history as a Royal Capital and State Capital near Berlin. It has a massive number of monuments in and around the historical city centre.

Internationa linfluences have spread through out the city with French, Swiss, Dutch and Russian influnces have hastened and spread the economic growth and development. Today these influences can be seen in particular in the the Dutch quarter, in Weaver’s Square in Babelsburg or in the Russian enclave and Colony Alexandrovka.

The unique buildings and residences were royal residences of Kings, and hve been ideal settings for filmmakers since 1911.

Yet today it is science and technology innovations which define the future of the State Capital in collaboration with leading Universities and commercial enterproses.. The ratio of scientists to the population is one of the highest in Germany.More than 40 Scientific institutions operate within the satellite area of the City of Potsdam and other industrial organisations such as VW have established branches cin the Schiffbauergasse at the Lale Tiefer See.

The photos display the beauty of the City, the wonders of the lakes and waterways, the strength of the econo9mic development.

We quite simply had a magical time.