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Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam

About

The Orphanage Museum in Potsdam offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of children raised in the Großes Waisenhaus, a Baroque orphanage founded in 1724 by Frederick William I. Located in the former musician’s house within the historic orphanage complex on Breite Straße, the museum traces nearly 300 years of educational and social history. Through original documents, photographs, and exhibition panels, visitors learn how military orphans were taught Christian values, literacy, and vocational skills. The museum also highlights the architectural significance of the orphanage square, with its late Baroque dome—now restored—as a landmark of Potsdam’s skyline. Interactive displays, including comic-style guides based on real children from the 19th century, make the experience accessible to all ages. The foundation continues its mission today by supporting disadvantaged youth, linking past and present in a meaningful way. Visits are available by appointment, offering a quiet, reflective space to explore the evolution of care, education, and civic responsibility in Prussian society.

Potsdam Germany
Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam
Location

The Waisenhausmuseum, or Orphanage Museum, is located in the courtyard of the Großes Waisenhaus zu Potsdam at Breite Straße 9a, in the city center near the Alter Markt. Founded by King Friedrich Wilhelm I in 1724, the complex is one of Potsdam’s largest late Baroque ensembles, designed by architect Carl von Gontard and crowned with the distinctive dome and golden Caritas statue—a well-known city landmark. The museum presents the 300-year history of the orphanage foundation, offering insight into the daily lives, education, and social care of children from the 18th to 20th centuries through exhibits, documents, and historical photographs. Nearby, visitors will find St. Nicholas’ Church, the Museum Barberini, the Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte, and the Brandenburg State Parliament, all within easy walking distance of the historic Breite Straße and Old Market area.​

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