<p>The magnificent Palazzo di Sanssouci, with its verdant gardens and terraced vineyards was the summer residence of Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia). Today the palace and the estate are an ideal place to relax in the greenery just 30 minutes from the city traffic. The French name means "without worries", a haven of peace and quiet, therefore, for the Prussian king, whose last wish was to be buried here, which he was granted only after the reunification of the country. Today the site is a Unesco-protected property. The palace, built between 1745 and 1747, is known for its treasures, such as the Reception Hall with stuccoes and oriels inspired by the Pantheon of Rome; many paintings by one of Frederick the Great’s favourite painters, Antoine Watteau; the Sala Voltaire, with carved motifs of birds, flowers and fruits, dedicated to the French philosopher who was often a guest of the palace. The large panoramic park is dotted with fountains, false ancient ruins and classical statues. In Sanssouci also worth a visit is the splendid Neues Palace (new palace) which was added to celebrate the end of the Seven Years’ War, the reconstruction of a Dutch mill, the winter garden, which now houses an art gallery, the Drachenhaus (house of dragons) and finally the pagoda, inside which there is a cafeteria for visitors to the park.</p>
