The Orangery in Sanssouci Park is an impressive example of the buildings created by Frederick William IV, who was known as the "Romantic on the throne." The imposing building complex - including greenhouses and the central Orangery Palace, sculptures, fountains, arcades and terraces - brings a bit of the Mediterranean sun to Potsdam, while graphically documenting Frederick William IV's ardent admiration for Italy. Italian Renaissance villas served as its models.
The architectural ensemble was created between 1851-64. During the extended construction period, Ludwig Persius, August Stüler and Ludwig Ferdinand Hesse were responsible for the plans, although the king's designs were unquestionably incorporated.
In addition to the lateral greenhouses, which even today serve as the winter storage for large potted plants that are sensitive to the cold, the building, which is over 300 meters long, also includes former royal apartments and servants' living quarters. The impressive Raphael Hall, located in the central section of the three-winged complex, accommodates a notable collection of more than 50, 19th century copies of paintings by Raphael.