Schloss Schonhausen

Walk a little slower through these gardens. Just beyond the trees stands a palace that quietly shaped Germany’s history. Schönhausen Palace, nestled in Pankow, has seen over 300 years of transformation from royal refuge to political stage. Built in the late 1600s as a summer escape for Prussian nobility, it later became the residence of Queen Elisabeth Christine, wife of Frederick the Great. While her husband remained distant in Potsdam, she lived here independently for over five decades.

In these very rooms, she hosted writers, diplomats, and artists, helping define the cultural atmosphere of 18th-century Prussia. But the palace’s role changed dramatically in the 20th century. After the devastation of World War II, East Germany made it the official residence of its first—and only—president, Wilhelm Pieck. Between 1949 and 1960, this serene estate became the heart of a new socialist state. Foreign leaders were welcomed here. Decisions were made here.

The palace witnessed moments of tension, diplomacy, and political theatre far from public view. After Pieck’s death, the palace was repurposed as a state guest house. Quiet negotiations were held within these walls, including talks that would later pave the way toward reunification.