Command Headquarters

The Kommandantenhaus, or Commandant’s House, was built between 1733 and 1737. Frederick William I, known as the Soldier King, had the building constructed as headquarters for the commanding officer of the Royal Guards Regiment. The court buildings included horse stables and coach houses.

The unrendered brick building conforms to the Dutch style of architecture prevalent at the time. The King had come across this style on his trips to Holland and brought it back with him to Potsdam, where he had his royal residence. Particularly noteworthy is the height of the rooms, which at 16 feet or over five metres was unusual for the time. To the east of the Kommandantenhaus a whole district was built in the Dutch style around the same time, also on the King’s instructions...