Upon this grand edifice stands Palais Lichtenau. Its neoclassical elegance speaks of a bygone era.
This magnificent building in Potsdam’s Behlertstrasse 31 boasts a fascinating history. Construction began in the early summer of 1796. King Frederick William II commissioned it. The architect remains debated. Some believe Michael Philipp Boumann designed it. Others credit Carl Gotthard Langhans. The name Palais Lichtenau is somewhat misleading. Contrary to popular belief Countess Wilhelmine von Lichtenau did not live here. She may not have even attended the inauguration in September 1797.
The Palais was built on the land of a citizen named Jury. The King acquired the plot in 1790. This was during a period of land purchases expanding the New Garden. A house was already present on the property. It housed the tenant of the Behlert Bridge. This bridge spanned the Behlertgraben which ran between the Bassinplatz and the Heiliger See. The western part of the property was given to the royal chamberlain Johann Friedrich Ritz and his wife. They also bought a neighboring plot.
The Palais itself was built at the King’s expense. The roof was completed by September 1796. Interior work continued into 1797. The chamberlain Ritz’s marriage to the King’s mistress was nearing its end. The King demanded the dissolution in April 1796. His wife Henriette Baranius was central to the inauguration festivities.
Originally the Palais stood in a sparsely built area. The garden south of the building was progressively developed from 1881 onward. Its north facade faces the New Garden. It provides a view of a stately country estate. This is considered a visual counterpart to the Pfaueninsel Palace.
The Palais has a main floor on a high base. A large mansard roof crowns the building. All four facades are distinct. The northeast side faces Behlertstrasse. It’s the main public view and the one seen from the New Garden. A three-axis central risalit projects from the nine-axis front. A triangular pediment with a segmental arched relief tops it. This relief features Apollo surrounded by other figures. Johann Gottfried Schadow designed it. The Wohler brothers sculpted it.
The windows are directly cut into the wall. Those on the risalit’s base are semicircular. Others are nearly square. A wide sandstone cornice runs around the building. It’s adorned with a strong dentil frieze and simple rosettes. The main floor windows are tall rectangles. Those on the rear sides are designed as window doors.
The interior layout of the main floor has been preserved. Several rooms retain their original high-quality finishes. The large garden-side doors lead to the central garden hall. This hall connects to a corridor via two arcades. The corridor runs west to a small balcony. The main staircase added in the 19th century is located here.
The garden hall boasts an illusionistic painted ceiling. The corridor’s arcades show painted shell motifs. Beyond lies the rose wood room. Its panelling is completely preserved.
The oval cabinet is fully preserved. It has four diagonally arranged niches. The walls have painted thyrsus motifs. The decorations are by Johann Carl Wilhelm Rosenberg. The ceiling has a spiral coffered design. The large east-side ballroom has two windows on each side.
The palace likely served as a stylish residence. The Countess Lichtenau was in Italy when construction began. She spent the summer of 1797 in Bad Pyrmont. She could only have influenced the interior design. After the King’s death she was accused of treason and imprisoned. Her property was confiscated. Ritz had a new house built for himself and Baranius.
The Palais changed hands many times after 1801. The von Luttwitz family bought it in 1927. Five rooms remained original until 1945. Restoration work was done in the 20th century. The Red Army used the building until 1955. A dermatology clinic now occupies the Palais. The ballroom remains a venue for events. Palais Lichtenau stands as a testament to early Neoclassicism in Potsdam. Its unique history and elegant features make it a true gem.