Colonnade

How did such simple structures become a symbol of Prussian glory? We’re standing before the Colonnade in Potsdam, an architectural marvel that served a surprisingly humble purpose. The Colonnade, completed in 1769 as part of the New Palace complex, connects two domed pavilions known as the Communs. Designed by Carl von Gontard, the Colonnade itself is a semi-circular sweep of columns, punctuated by a triumphant arch soaring 24 meters high. While appearing grand and palatial, the Communs were essentially glorified utility buildings. They housed servants, administrative staff, and even the royal kitchens. Imagine the royal chefs bustling about below, preparing elaborate meals that were then carried across the courtyard to the New Palace, probably getting cold on the journey. Frederick the Great envisioned Potsdam as a “Rome of the north,” and the Colonnade, with its echoes of St. Peter’s Square, played a key role in this vision. The gilded figures of Fama and Fortuna atop the Communs domes, visible for miles, broadcast Frederick’s fame and power, much like the statues of ancient Roman emperors. These seemingly simple service buildings, linked by the elegant Colonnade, became a symbol of Prussian might and ambition. The Colonnade and the entire New Palace complex served as a backdrop for royal receptions and state occasions. It was a stage set designed to awe and impress visiting dignitaries. This architectural sleight of hand, transforming the mundane into the magnificent, stands as a testament to Frederick the Great’s vision and Gontard’s architectural genius.