Potsdam, Kaleidoskop preussischer Baugeschichte und Laboratorium der Erinnerungsarchitektur

Potsdam, 30 km from Berlin, is the state capital of Brandenburg. This modern city presents itself as a Prussian baroque city with significant political history, as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as the state's knowledge city and administrative centre - certainly more than just an attractive residential suburb of Berlin. Every square metre of this city exudes German and, in particular, Prussian history. However, Potsdam poses a challenge for politicians and planners, for architects, historical monument conservationists and landscapers. Striking a balance between preserving the historical city and taking into account the socialist city whilst allowing for new development is a Herculean task - one that has been and continues to be the subject of controversial debate.