Pfingstberg (Potsdam)

View from the Belvedere on the Pfingstberg

The Pfingstberg is 76 meters above mean sea level one of the highest elevations of Potsdam and especially known for his Belvedere, the Friedrich Wilhelm IV after Italian models to 1863 was by the architect Ludwig Persius, Friedrich August Stiller and Ludwig Ferdinand Hesse build. The park-like garden was designed by Peter Joseph Lenné plans.

On the Pfingstberg is located next to the Belvedere and the Temple of Pomona (1801 ), the first building of the then nineteen- year-old Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

After the Second World War, the prospect castle fell into ruin, and the park feral increasingly. Since the late 1980s, an association strives to restore the system. With the support of the Foundation for Prussian Palaces and Gardens in Berlin -Brandenburg and by generous donations park and castle until 2003 were largely restored and reconstructed.

Naming

In a map of 1683 there is still the name Eichberg. This was a forest, the population could be found free of charge wood for building houses. After installation of a Jewish cemetery on the southern slope of the Eichberg was renamed in 1743 in Judenberg.

The third naming took place after the purchase of a property with a pavilion, the Temple of Pomona, by King Friedrich Wilhelm III. in the year 1817. From then on the hill bearing the present name Pfingstberg.

The land belonged to the Privy Council Carl Ludwig von Oesfeld, is said to have dined with the Queen Louise Pentecost 1804. After the pleasant stay on the Vineyard, is reported to have the queen suggested renaming the mountain. Friedrich Wilhelm III. shall thereupon 1817 - have made the change of name - in memory of his deceased wife in 1810. A second version is, a visit to the king on the hill at Pentecost in 1817 was the reason of the change.