Top left corner: Charlottenburg Palace Front, January 11, 2020
Bottom left corner: Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David, Picture taken in the Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020
Top center: Tomb cover, sculpture of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Wife of Fredrick William III, Picture taken in the Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020
Bottom center and top right: The Golden Room, picture taken at Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020
Bottom right: Portrait of Sophie Charlotte, Picture taken in the Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020
*All photographs taken by Alyssa D’Emanuele *
The most historical part of Charlottenburg is likely the center of the palace. The center of the palace is the original piece, that is Sophie Charlotte’s small palace that she designed. The center of the palace and the garden are likely the most historical sections of Charlottenburg and quite possibly the part that of the you truly must see. Sophie Charlotte was a unique princess that was able to have special privileges that most women were not able to have, and for this reason her education flourished and the palace was her design. This makes this palace exponentially unique.
If you are going to Charlottenburg just for the female historical aspects of the palace, the center is most definitely where you want to be, to learn all about Sophie Charlotte’s upbringing and how her excitement for knowledge and her ability to obtain it was extraordinary for women in her time. However, the old wing is also amazing. This is the wing that harbors all of the things that Fredrick I built onto the palace after becoming king. Sophie Charlotte built her palace quite small; it was a modest building with a large emphasis on the garden, but when her husband became King after being a Prince Elector, he saw it fitting to expand on their home.
The new wing is also a must see, and it was by far my favorite part of the palace. The love story between Louise and her husband King Fredrick William II is a story that will stick with me. The new wing also has some of the more widely known artifacts, like the gold room that is adorned with the rococo style decorations, and the room that holds Napoleon’s portrait by Jacques-Louis David.
If you ever get the chance to visit the Charlottenburg Palace, I recommend a guided tour. While I can sit here and tell you what I think is the most ‘must see’ part is, the truth is that the entire palace is a stop that can’t be missed.
Alyssa D’Emanuele 