Villa Liegnitz

Villa Liegnitz stands at the edge of Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, linking architecture with Prussian royal history. Albert Dietrich Schadow built the villa in 1841. The villa took its name from the Princess of Liegnitz, second wife of King Frederick William III. Their morganatic marriage left the royal succession unchanged. After the king’s death, the princess continued living in Villa Liegnitz until her death in 1873. The building later acquired several institutional uses. During the Soviet occupation, authorities briefly turned Villa Liegnitz into a children’s home. From 1950, university institutions used the building. The Brandenburg State University and later the Pedagogical University of Potsdam held teaching spaces there. A zoological institute occupied seminar and laboratory rooms. Later additions included an animal house for behavioral studies and a laboratory container for zoophysiology and cell biology. The grounds connected directly with these facilities. A restoration project aims to preserve the 1908 architectural and garden character while accommodating modern needs. An elevator supports the planned accessibility improvements. The planned office building will include a substantial library on Prussian history, monument preservation, and art history. Peter Joseph Lenné designed the historic garden. Partial restoration includes the Rose Gate and public access to the formerly private grounds. The restored garden will welcome visitors.