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Historic neighborhood · Potsdam, Brandemburgo
Holländisches Viertel
Neighborhood of 134 exposed-brick houses in Dutch style, built between 1733 and 1742 in central Potsdam. Today it has cafés, shops and restaurants.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Holländisches Viertel
The Holländisches Viertel, "Bairro Holandês", was built between 1733 and 1742 to accommodate craftsmen from the Netherlands, whom King Frederico Guilherme I, the "Soldier King", wanted to attract to Potsdam. The project was overseen by master builder Jan Bouman from Amsterdam, and the king's son, Frederico the Great, completed the work after 1740.
There are 134 red exposed-brick houses, with curved gables and white windows, laid out in four blocks cut by the streets Mittelstraße and Benkertstraße. It is the largest ensemble of Dutch-style houses outside the Netherlands. Many immigrants ultimately did not come, and the houses were also occupied by soldiers and local residents.
After decades of neglect, the quarter was restored starting in the 1990s and became one of the meeting points in central Potsdam, with cafés, restaurants, galleries and small shops. The pedestrian street Brandenburger Straße, the city's main shopping street, begins nearby and runs straight to the Brandenburger Tor.
In spring, the quarter usually hosts a festival of Dutch traditions, with tulips and music. At the end of the year there is a Christmas market with Dutch themes: the Christmas markets typically run from late November until close to Christmas.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 45 minutes to 1 hour to walk the streets; more time if you plan to stop at a café or have lunch.
Best time
In the late afternoon, when the light hits the bricks, and at lunchtime or dinnertime. On Sundays most shops are closed, but cafés and restaurants usually remain open.
How to get there
It is in the center, about a 15-minute walk from Potsdam Hauptbahnhof or a few minutes by tram to the Nauener Tor stop, next to the quarter. From the Alter Markt it's about a 10-minute walk.
Tip
Notice the Nauener Tor, the neo-Gothic city gate at the northern tip of the quarter. Many of the restaurants are located in inner courtyards, hidden behind the façades: it's worth peeking through the gates.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Holländisches Viertel
Why is there a Dutch quarter in Potsdam?
In the 18th century, King Frederico Guilherme I wanted to attract artisans from Holanda to the city and commissioned houses in their style, designed by a master builder from Amsterdã.
Is the neighborhood good for eating?
Yes. Mittelstraße and Benkertstraße concentrate cafés and restaurants, many with sidewalk seating when it's warm.
Do shops open on Sundays?
Most shops are closed on Sundays in Germany. The neighborhood's cafés and restaurants usually open.