Cities
Germany Potsdam Brandenburg Historical Landmark

Antique Temple

About

The Antique Temple in Potsdam is a neoclassical rotunda built in 1768–69 by Carl von Gontard for Frederick the Great, designed to house his collection of classical art and antiquities. Located in the western part of Sanssouci Park near the New Palace, the temple features a circular layout with ten Tuscan columns and a domed roof, evoking ancient Roman architecture. Originally conceived as a museum, it once displayed marble urns, bronze figurines, antique coins, and gems, reflecting Frederick’s passion for classical civilization. The interior was lined with Silesian marble and adorned with busts and vessels arranged on wooden benches and brackets. Since 1921, the temple has served as a mausoleum for members of the House of Hohenzollern, including Auguste Victoria, wife of Emperor Wilhelm II. Though not open to the public, the temple remains a serene landmark within the park, admired for its architectural elegance and historical significance. It complements the nearby Temple of Friendship, forming a symbolic axis of memory and legacy in Potsdam’s royal landscape.

Potsdam Germany
Antique Temple
Location

The Antique Temple is located in the western part of Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, near the New Palace and north of the Central Alley. This small, round Neoclassical temple was built between 1768 and 1769 by architect Carl von Gontard for Frederick the Great to house his extensive collection of classical art, antique artifacts, coins, and gems. Architecturally, it features ten Tuscan columns surrounding the rotunda and a 16-meter diameter cupola with oval windows that provide natural light. The temple’s interior is adorned with grey Silesian marble, antique busts, life-sized marble statues, and a coin chamber with thousands of numismatic treasures. Since 1921, it has served as a mausoleum for members of the House of Hohenzollern and is not open to the public. The temple is set within the beautifully landscaped Sanssouci Park, close to other landmarks like the Temple of Friendship, the New Palace, and the Orangery Palace, forming a central part of Potsdam’s UNESCO World Heritage palaces and parks.​

Sanssouci Park Sanssouci Park Park Neuer Garten Neuer Garten Park Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Museum House of Brandenburg-Prussian History House of Brandenburg-Prussian History Museum Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Museum Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Museum Museum Alexandrowka Museum Alexandrowka Museum Jan Bouman House Jan Bouman House Museum Nowaweser Weberstube Nowaweser Weberstube Museum Im Güldenen Arm Im Güldenen Arm Museum Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Museum Filmmuseum Potsdam Filmmuseum Potsdam Museum Natural History Museum Potsdam Natural History Museum Potsdam Museum Historic Mill of Sanssouci Historic Mill of Sanssouci Museum Extavium Extavium Museum URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam Museum Museum Barberini Museum Barberini Museum DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam Museum museum FLUXUS+ museum FLUXUS+ Museum Villa Schöningen Villa Schöningen Museum New Palace Potsdam New Palace Potsdam Castle Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Castle Hans Otto Theatre Hans Otto Theatre Theatre Reithalle Reithalle Theatre Theaterschiff Potsdam Theaterschiff Potsdam Theatre T-Werk T-Werk Theatre Kabarett Obelisk Kabarett Obelisk Theatre Fabrik Potsdam Fabrik Potsdam Theatre Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Cinema Kunstraum Potsdam Kunstraum Potsdam Museum Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Gallery Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Gallery a|e Galerie a|e Galerie Gallery Kunsthaus sans titre Kunsthaus sans titre Gallery Sperl Galerie Sperl Galerie Gallery Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Museum Charlottenhof Palace Charlottenhof Palace Castle Pheasantry Pheasantry Historical Landmark Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace Palace Nauen Gate Nauen Gate Historical Landmark Gartendirektionsgebäude Gartendirektionsgebäude Historical Landmark Bank mit Havelblick Bank mit Havelblick Park Orangerieschloss Orangerieschloss Palace Chinesisches Haus Chinesisches Haus Historical Landmark Marmorpalais Marmorpalais Castle Römische Bäder Römische Bäder Historical Landmark Flatowturm Flatowturm Historical Landmark Bornstedt Crown Estate Bornstedt Crown Estate Palace Schloss Babelsberg Schloss Babelsberg Castle Schloss Sacrow Schloss Sacrow Castle Park Babelsberg Park Babelsberg Park Freundschaftsinsel Freundschaftsinsel Park Volkspark Potsdam Volkspark Potsdam Park Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanical Garden Normannischer Turm Normannischer Turm Historical Landmark Obeliskportal Obeliskportal Historical Landmark Neptune Grotto Neptune Grotto Historical Landmark Temple of Friendship Temple of Friendship Historical Landmark Garnisonkirche Garnisonkirche Museum Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Market Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz market Muschelgrotte Muschelgrotte Historical Landmark Jägertor Potsdam Jägertor Potsdam Historical Landmark Winzerberg Potsdam Winzerberg Potsdam Historical sites Friedenskirche Friedenskirche Church Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Historical Landmark Einstein Tower Einstein Tower Observatory Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Historical Landmark St. Nicholas Church Potsdam St. Nicholas Church Potsdam Church Church of the Redeemer Church of the Redeemer Church Loggia alexandra Loggia alexandra Historical Landmark Stoffmarkt Holland Stoffmarkt Holland Market Fortunaportal Fortunaportal Tourist attractions Gutspark Gutspark Museum Brandenburg Gate Postdam Brandenburg Gate Postdam Historical Landmark