Potsdam, the capital city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, is steeped in a rich historical tapestry, largely influenced by its status as a residence of the Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. Renowned for its legacy of stunning palaces and gardens, it forms part of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin UNESCO World Heritage Site. Key attractions include Sanssouci Park, featuring the Rococo Sanssouci Palace, often referred to as the Prussian Versailles, and the Neues Palais, showcasing the grandiosity of its late Baroque architecture. The city also houses the University of Potsdam and significant research institutes such as the Max Planck Society, which contribute to its intellectual heft. The Dutch Quarter, with its red-brick, gabled houses, exudes a unique European charm, while the Babelsberg Film Studio attests to the city’s relevance in the history of European filmmaking. The blend of cultural heritage, educational prominence, and scenic beauty, all set alongside the River Havel, makes Potsdam a remarkable testimony to Germany's complex past;
