The palace was originally named Lietzenburg but was renamed Charlottenburg in honor of Queen Sophie Charlotte following her death in 1705.
The Palace's Porcelain Cabinet houses over 2,000 pieces of Chinese and Japanese porcelain.
The interior of the Amber Room, now lost, was originally designed for this palace before being gifted to Peter the Great.
The palace garden features a carp pond that has been part of the landscape since the late 17th century.
The Mausoleum in the garden contains the tombs of Queen Luise and King Frederick William III.
The Belvedere, a summerhouse in the gardens, was built specifically to house a porcelain collection and provide views of the Spree.
The palace's cupola is topped by a gilded statue of Fortune, which serves as a weather vane.
During the occupation of Berlin, the palace grounds were used for various administrative purposes, significantly altering their original residential intent.
The palace interior displays a rare collection of 18th-century French paintings outside of France.
Charlottenburg Palace serves as the primary residence of the Hohenzollern dynasty in Berlin, featuring a distinct Baroque and Rococo architectural fusion. The estate consists of the Altes Schloss, built in 1695 as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, and the expanded Neuer Flügel. The palace is situated on the banks of the Spree River, surrounded by an extensive Baroque garden transformed into an English-style landscape park in the 19th century. Visitors can tour the Porcelain Cabinet, which displays an extensive collection of East Asian ceramics. The palace grounds also house the Mausoleum, the Belvedere tea house, and the New Pavilion. Extensive restoration efforts have been required due to severe damage sustained during World War II Allied bombing raids. The site now functions as a museum complex managed by the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation. It remains the largest surviving palace complex in Berlin.
The central courtyard facing the main palace entrance offers the most symmetrical view of the Baroque architecture.
Purchase a combined ticket to access both the Altes Schloss and the New Pavilion to see the full range of historical interiors.
Allocate time to walk the full length of the landscape gardens to reach the Belvedere and the Mausoleum.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as the gravel paths in the expansive garden require significant walking.
Do not attempt to see the entire estate in under two hours, as the palace interiors and the gardens each require dedicated time.
The palace is closed every Monday throughout the year.
Photography is permitted in most areas without flash; large bags and backpacks must be checked in the cloakroom.
