Fodor's Expert Review Schloss Glienicke

On a green spit of land between Wannsee and Potsdam, right before the infamous Glienicke Bridge (where spies and prisoners were notoriously traded between East and West during the Cold War) is Schloss Glienicke, one of the area's lesser-known palaces. After an inspiring journey to Italy, Prince Charles of Prussia commissioned Karl Friedrick Schinkel and Peter Joseph Lenné to design an Italianate villa and garden and this is what they came up with. Flanked by two golden lions on pedestals, the result is a bit gaudy, but it befits the pleasure grounds of a crown prince. It is a less-busy alternative to Sanssouci, and offers yet another side of Prussian architecture and landscaping in an area crowded with excellent examples. Opening times can be sporadic according to seasons, so check the website before you visit.