| OCR Text |
Show r Sunday, January 28, 1996 THE DAILY HERALD, Provo, L)Lilir By GARY A. WARNER Orange County Register Past the villa where the Holo- st was planned, across the Lee used for U.S.-Sovisdv hps, up by the castle where the et Curtain was dropped on is the Prussian play mnd built by Germany's great rope, King. the imperial city of Potsdam is easy day trip from Berlin, a 20- hute bus or rail ride to three cen-ies of power-ma- d kaisers, Nazi i tss muraerers, dashed post- brld War II Utopias and Cold hr treachery. Most visitors to Potsdam come the grand collection of imper-palaces and gardens. But neath the newly painted veneer mowed lawns lie of the German freshly rker chapters St. "Potsdam is a place with a trreat of history, much of it the kind many Germans would rather n irget, said Roland Wirth, a with the European Academy Benin. Potsdam today is humming ith activity after awaking in 1990 om 40 years of slumber and rot hder communist rule. The eov- Irnment of unified Germany is pending millions to bring the city back to the aroque splendor of its zenith nder the kaisers. Buzz saws and jackhammers v esound around the bansions of the old city, while cruffy coffeehouses of the East jerman era give way to chic )istros and shops. In the evenings, university students with gazes of d boredom glance out the Front window of smoke-fille- d cafes in the same kind of scene favored in al at his-ria- id three-stor- well-lone- iBerlin. far-o- n. fin-iish- ed The one-stor- y palace sits low atop a terraced hill covered with vines. A grand marble staircase leads down to a reflecting pool. The- palace exterior is painted a Frederick's burial site in Potsdam By GARY A. WARNER Orange County Register Potsdam's most famous permanent resident is Frederick the Great. But the mighty monarch only arrived in 1991 205 years after he died. It's typical of Frederick's life that even in death his wishes were ignored. His militaristic father crushed his love of arts, beheading best friend Frederick's because he plotted to help ' the unhappy prince flee Ger- many. When Frederick became king in 1740, he filled Potsdam with musicians and painters. The French writer Voltaire lived at court and French for ; Sans Souci :'Mwithout care" was built as a courtly pleasure palace. War intervened. Frederick nearly lost his kingdom to Russia before fighting back a to establish Germany But major European power. he would never again be souci" and died in , ".sans 1786 an eccentric, despotic monarch unloved by his peo- ple. Frederick wanted to be interred at Sans Souci next to 13 of his beloved greyhound hunting dogs. But his family opted to bury him at Potsdam's Garrison Church, next to the father he despised. During World War II, the Nazis worried that the .icings' carcasses would be blown up by Allied bombers or captured and desecrated by advancing Red Army troops. They were secretly dug up and moved to a casSwabia for tle in far-o- 1 ff spirit. The golden age of Potsdam died with the abdication of the last kaiser at the end of World War I, in 1918. But Potsdam remained holy ground for the German military, home to a large army base and the Garrison Church, where the kaisers were buried. Adolf Hitler's dreams of empire played well in Potsdam, where he once drew 60,000 to a rally. The Nazis chose a pretty villa in the bucolic woods at nearby Wannsee Lake for the January 1942 meeting "Potsdam is a place with a great deal of history, much of it the kind that many at Am Orange County Register. GETTING THERE: Take U J. Ik-x train to Potsdam the walk Stadt. It's a to the city center from there. For the Glienicke Bridge, get station off at Wansee and take bus No. 18. HANG YOUR HAT: Most visitors to Potsdam stay in Berlin. In Potsdam, the top choice .is the Cecilienhof, where the 1945 Potsdam Conference was held. Rates are about $140 a night. Reservations for Cecilienhof, other hotels, and private home stays can be made at either the Berlin or Potsdam tourist offices. JUST ASK THEM: German National Tourist Office, 122 E. 42nd St., New York, 0. N.Y. 10168. Call (212) In Germany, visit the tourist office in the Zoo Sta- Grossen Wannsee 56 where the infamous "Wannsee Conference" was held is now a Holocaust museum and educational center. The Nazi era doomed Potsdam. Nazis burned the city synagogue all that remains is a plaque just north of the main post office. For most of the war, the city was spared the bombing that devastated Berlin. But on the night of April less than a month 14, 1945 before the end of the war more than 500 British bombers hammered the city, killing 5,000 residents. Some of the palaces were damaged and the Garrison Church was gutted. Defeated and smoldering, Potsdam gave way easily to the advancing Red Army, which bivouacked troops in the Sans Souci gardens and took over many of the remaining homes. Hopes for a postwar Utopia of world harmony died in the summer of 1945 when President Harry Truman, Soviet leader Josef Stalin and British Prime Winston Minister Churchill met at Cecilienhof, the last castle built by the kaisers just before the end of Phase two of ticket sales for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta is to begin by phone in Feb- - ATLANTA safekeeping. Ger- In August 1991, after man reunification, Frederick's wish finally was ful-- ; filled. He was buried next to that ;his dogs in a ceremony some Germans found uncommili- -' fortably full of Prussian tary pomp. adding that apartment rentals, and rooms in private homes wilf ; be available, Information Hotline for sales and availability. In addition to sports events, the city is host to the Olympics Arts Festival, a program of some 200 theater, dance and musical performances and art exhibitions. Though many events are free, others are priced at $5 to , . ' j , Spain replaces U.S. as No. 2 tourist spot By LESLIE DOOLITTLE Orlando Sentinel Spain has knocked the United States out of its long-hel- d position as the second most popular tourist draw in the world, according to federal tourism officials. France retained it spot at the top in 1995 despite a slight decrease in visitors. "The United States has been second for at least 10 years," said Johnson. "But Spain was able to War world. But some the new, glossy Potsthat worry dam will fail to pay proper tribute to the city's central role in the amazing, often tragic history of the 20th century. "People s memories cannot be painted over, but when they are gone, it will be difficult to recall d leverage the summer Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. Iron ically, we have the same opportunity in Atlanta this year." The World Tourism Organization's 1995 ranking of international tourist arrivals show: 1. France: 60.6 million, down 1.13 percent; 2. Spain: 45.1 million, up 4.38 percent; 3. United States: 44.7 million, down 1.7 percent; 4. Italy: 29.2 million, up 6. 2 percent; 5. China: 23.4 million, up 10.9 percent; 6. United Kingdom, 22.7 million, up 7.92 percent; 7. Hungary, 22.1 million, up 3.09 percent; 8. Mexico, 19.9 million, More. Mar 27-A- Cruises P' ' Vacations I Group Tours Airline Tickets American Express Financial Services Air Orfy Vftiki FfK TSUis 15 What do you get when you combine two great travel hIf Cfy Hotel accommodations ' Taxes add;don6l Air Driy FumJfVbcort8Hris 3&16 or 13C 2,10,2 ViK ) I I Ml I mitw't fas 8 North Missouri optional; Choice of 3 itineraries with excellent Church History instructors by the most experienced operator of Church History tours. 10, 12, or (including the Nauvoo Pageant) 15 days. All include selected U.S. or history sites July 14-2- VUcWlP SI-- ci KtSirt IW nu w ! hi i rrtfci lt (Ate tmmgw. iioiliirrthoMIiiFuiieP ytia iiten nm rNf. trcv 0 Mil t M Fir al celebrate the EASTER PAGEANT March Mesa, 30- - TEMPLE TOUR April 6 . Grand Canyon, San Diego Tlieater, "Gate of Heaven" ALASKA CRUISEINSIDE Sept 9 -- PASSAGE Savings to you $600 15 L g Category. April 9 21 (i; we've joined forces 7 Day Cruise Aboard the SS independent, S Island Honolulu, Oanu, Kauai, Maul, Hilo, Kona. , This tour will prove to be a voyage with Princess Cruises to offer you the chance to win a cruise for two to brochure rate on selected departures. Ho PRINCESS CRUISES Morris 'Beehive TRAVEL LLC 225-760- 0 370 - 4000 798-737- 1 mm HAWAII CRUISE PPM you'll never forget. CAUF.EASTER PAGEANT mm t. iviarcn m ti-pr- M n It m l tCMtt )W)f Well; Resort, CloryofEasterPageant, Palm Springs Follies & Player's Island. '96 BRANSON Travel with the Branson Specialists! Stop by any MorrisBeehive Travel office to enter to win or book your cruise. Jprit; Branson, 6 Days Branson, Nashville, Branson, Sidtey Mtm June . Branson Oct' Oct1 Nauvoo.,..! Ourl Chmtmat 22 27 6 16 2-- 9 Aug.' Joseph Pageant Branson 7 Days Branson Orem 218 North State Provo 2520 North University Spanish Fork 1070 North Main nm ,$1859 New means, iaiiaiiassee,urianao, Disne)'world, Kennedy Space Center, Epcot Center, St Augustine, Myrtle Beach, Includes 21 meals. ' $1445 Aor. 613 1tnt no farther fnr thp fof lAofipj AfP 3 p Air & Port taxes included, Sail aboard 16-2- 5 July )Mft he inn San Diega, Los Angles, Las 'e$as Temples, Beehive Travel & off the D5 .. ' Manti, St. George, Las Vegas Temples, Princess Alaska cruise before $2400 Hotel accommoJsdons C Toasters Tuces yfciitiocai TsakxSAi wf ? cle tarty at Jbwr Roaai tri? tir from 27-3- Church History Hill Cumorah Pageant ECONOMY TEMPLE TOUR March 5 -- 7 $198 wo ' Morris Travel and you can save up to 4 & ' Book your Feb. 14 l 29-A- Nauvoo DATE FESTIVAL SPRING SPECTACULAR merger of nix 489 Gnwacte Manti, Apr 14 the Statendam,RydamM "I IOTP" 459" flay Mze&m H CM YOUR CHANCE TO To 8 y 1 223-31- 5 es 30-Ma- 6-- MES, " St. Branson shows, Eureka Springs, Precious Moments, St Louis & Kansas City; Apr 6 Feb. 9 Charlie Prose Show 1 Eddie Arnold Feb. Mel Tillis March 11-- 25 $529 Feb. Las Vegas dinner & show, Palm Springs, & Follies City Tour, Mesquite, Virgin River, Date Festival Ostrich & Came I Races! " Great Fun, Come and join us! LLC R South Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Mesa, Easter Pagent, La3 Vegas, St. George. Mar Easter-Tempi- SPECIAL LAUGHLIN! 129 wkc includes One Night al the Stateline, Two Sights at Riverside in Laughlin, One Shoiv.Tliree Buffets. PALM SPRINGS -- Co&SaiteOro & I KERRY'S WINTER ESCAPE Morris Beehive Valid Augustine up 16.11 percent; 9. Poland, 19.2 million, up 2.2 percent; 10. Austria, 17.7 million, down .6 percent. 21-- Round trip air from SLC "AirportHotel Transfers Savannah, s buses.'-MARTA'- SIC Air Charleston Atlanta in . allowed to rot. The current German government hopes that the restored splendors of imperial Potsdam will lure tourists to an area still struggling for economic prosperity in the ';' ". agencies? ff ' million available ruary. More than 3.2 million of tickets were sold in the initial offering last year. .' were demolished or West. AP Photo' people who have already ordered tickets have indicated plans to stay with friends or rel-- : Summer Olympics. atives. We're the first Olympics And nearly every one of those ' Committee to take charge of 250,000 visitors will have, or housing the public, and we're . will be looking for, a place to confident we'll be able to stay at least one night and a tickaccommodate everyone." et to see at least one sports event. $75. Orders and information Once the Games begin, Most will be milling around the should be directed to the Culturand Greeters" wiLi be "Meeters central city, but Greater Atlanta, al Olympiad Hotline. posted throughout the civy to population 3.2 million, will get Even if you don't have tickets offer directions to venueni-andits share of crowds, too. yet, you should start making tourist attractions. Atlanta's', It's not too soon to get in line. inquiries on lodging through the transit system, MAftTA', The Atlanta Committee for ACOG Information Hotline. rapid will offer easy access to tnost ACOG Operators will help with inforthe Olympic Games venues along its regular routes says ticket sales already have mation and take reservations. or with special shuttle exceeded expectations. Some 3.2 Most area hotels agreed to fare is $1.50 per ride',' dedicate at least 80 percent of million of the 11 million availbut special Olympics passes able were sold via a lottery in their rooms to the ACOG's ' ,f1, '" will be available, ' 1995. Several events, including ' Olympic Games Host Hotel NetOlympic events areJsl!h!ed; work. That means the ACOG the July 19 opening ceremony, uled for more than '30 venues,', about or controls 90,000 rooms, are sold out. most clustered within the Ticket demand also was high 180,000 beds, in the metropolitan area. The farthest would be "Olympic Ring," an invisible for gymnastics, diving, basketball and baseball. Laurie Olsen, in Savannah, about 250 miles boundary around the Olympic Omni Coliseum,.'; Stadium, committee distant. organizing the Dome, short estimated dates for That's of Georgia Georgia Tech.; spokesman, says prime these events are sold out, though 250,000 visitors per day. Aquatic Center, Georgia World,' other dates are available. "We're currently making Congress Center and other mul'-- ; ti .;vent venues in the city cenThe second phase of ticket another sweep of possible lodg. , . sales, this time by phone, will ing in the area," Olsen says, ter. nists as tribute to their patron, Stalin. After the Potsdam Conference, the city fell into a stupor. The Soviets plopped huge, ugly gray concrete buildings into the midst of the eastern half of the baroque community. Large swaths of the former playground "At one time there were more than 300,000 Soviet troops in this area," Wirth said. "What they did to the local architecture was most unfortunate, but as you can understand the local people were not at liberty to complain to the commissars at the time." Just outside of town is one of the Cold War's great shrines. Glienicke Bridge, the "Bridge of Unity," where the CIA and KGB made their frequent spy swaps, with both sides sending their prisoners across the bridge simultaneously. U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers walked to freedom here, while Soviet master-sp- y Rudolph Abel returned home from prison in the This city with a population just under 500,000 is expected to grow half again during the 17 days of the 1996 , j. 11 from $7 to about $200, with an average of $40. Call the ACOG 1 Deep South Tour New Orleans, Lafayette, Natchez, Vicksburg, Montgomery, Atlanta, f yi': vl begin in February. Prices range By JENNIFER MERIN For AP Special Features World War I. The "Big Three" carved up the remains of Europe, giving the Soviets control of the eastern half. everything that happened behind Churchill would later say the. these walls with their nice trimdecisions at Potsdam dropped an mings," Wirth said. "Iron Curtain" across the continent. The castle has been kept much as it was in 1945. One wing is now a hotel where guests eat in a dining hall once used by the kaisers and later by the three world leaders. Make sure to visit the main courtyard, with its large red star made of flowers planted later by the East German commu- - mg Tickets going fast tion rail center or Europa Center in Berlin for more information on Potsdam. There is a tourist office in Potsdam at Friedrich-EberStrasse 5. next to the bus.'sfai post-Col- CA ,. 661-720- of kings u H v tion. to draw up plans that led to the extermination of 6 million Jews. house you go to Potsdam ... If t; Germans would rather forget." Roland Wirth, historian The Beginning in 1660, Potsdam was home for the kings of Prussia out in the countryside, but close enough to Berlin that the kaisers could ride back the same day in case of trouble. Potsdam filled up with castles built by the kings and their noble The most sublime is hangers-ois Sans Souci, the jewel box in 1745 by Frederick the ureat. ' golden yellow, a color much copied later by the burghers in town for their mansions. Most of the rooms of the palace are decorated in a riotous rococo, especially the Concert Room. The palace is surrounded by delicate wrought-iro- n fences, railings, garden gates and decorative archways, often capped with a golden sun, symbol of Frederick's monarchy. Pathways lead out to thick landscaped forests that occasionally open up to vistas of pavilions, statues or fountains. Everything is designed to please the eye and calm the Pape E7 ', 18-2- 5 2 . .Kc, 25 DC. 1 |
