Schloss Paretz

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Crown Prince Frederick William, later King Frederick William III, acquired the Paretz estate on the Havel in 1797 as a quiet summer seat for himself and his wife Louise. After his accession to the throne later that same year, he had the palace and village laid out according to plans by the architect David Gilly, completed by 1804. The old manor house was incorporated into the simple, early Classicist new building.

Paretz was meant as a counterpart to courtly ceremony: the royal family spent the summer months here in a bourgeois-rural style. The painted and printed paper wallpapers in the living rooms became especially well known. After the death of Frederick William III in 1840, the rooms remained unchanged at the wish of his descendants and served only to commemorate the parents; this state lasted until 1945, when the Hohenzollern property was expropriated.

Afterwards the palace was altered for a long time to such an extent that it was barely recognizable. The SPSG restored it; since April 2014 a newly installed permanent exhibition has told the story of the construction and use of the ensemble and of its restoration. In the palace coach house, a small collection of Prussian carriages, state sleds and sedan chairs from the 17th and 18th centuries can be seen.

Highlights

• Royal living rooms with furniture, paintings and the famous Paretz paper wallpapers
• Permanent exhibition on the construction and use history (since 2014)
• Carriages, state sleds and sedan chairs in the palace coach house
• Planned ensemble of palace and model village by David Gilly

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Schloss Paretz – Tour through the royal living rooms and an exhibition on the construction and use history as well as the restoration of the palace.
• Kutschen in der Schlossremise – Small collection of Prussian carriages, state sleds and sedan chairs from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Operated by

Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG)

Admission & discounts

The ticket is valid for one day for the palace and the palace coach house. Free admission for, among others, children under 7, people with a disability of GdB 100 (companion admitted free with marker B/H), holders of a press card and of the palace annual pass; groups are exempt from these rules. Reduced: pupils, students, trainees, BFD/FSJ, people with a GdB of 50 or higher, recipients of ALG I.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Conditionally wheelchair-accessible; the WC in the event building is wheelchair-accessible, and accessible parking spaces are located behind the palace coach house. Assistance dogs welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

"Flora und Pomona" rally for children aged 6 to 10 via the app; family ticket for €16. For conservation reasons, strollers may not enter the exhibition rooms.

Getting there & parking

Paretz is about 20 km from Potsdam.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Lockers for small luggage (up to 35 x 35 x 50 cm) in limited numbers; for safety reasons, luggage may not be left in the entrance area. Dining and overnight stays in the village; information at paretz-ketzin.de.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The vestibule and the event building (Saalgebäude) can be rented; inquiries to eventlocations@spsg.de.

Plan your visit