Six coaches have arrived from Berlin, stopping at the Old Market – an illustrious crowd disembarks... They have come to see the residences of the Hohenzollerns and especially that of Frederick the Great, the palaces and gardens.
The Old Market Square – a magnet then as now
The picture captures a beautiful moment at the Old Market Square – a glimpse into the past and the long history of Potsdam, which goes back to, at least, the first documented mentioning of Potsdam in the year 993. In the Potsdam Museum, the city's rich history is told. And as the picture beautifully illustrates, it is the people who make the history of a city.
Visitors flocked to the Old Market as early as 1910. The tourists from Berlin were certainly also planning a visit to the city's museum, which was first located in the old town hall from 1909 to 1910. The photo dates back to this time. The photographer is unknown.
The people in the photograph
The arriving tourists belong to the more affluent class of Berlin. In the foreground of the photo other contemporary individuals of the city have been inserted as a collage – all from the Potsdam Museum's photo collection. Their identities are not known, but their appearance allows us to make some assumptions. The friendly looking young woman in the center of the picture is certainly from the upper middle-class. The three gentlemen to the right, also bourgeois, could be Potsdam city representatives. The gentleman with the glasses on his hat on the left side is one of the bus drivers.
The only person known by name is – in the front left with a cigar – Fritz Rumpf (1856-1927). The painter, art writer and translator was an active member of the Potsdam Museum Association, co-founder of the City Museum – and was also director of the museum for some time.
City history(ies)
With this snapshot of a scene in front of the Old Town Hall and the added people – all photographs from the early 20th century – we would like to spark your curiosity about our city's history(ies)!
Visit our city history exhibition ‘Potsdam. A City Makes History’ and our changing special exhibitions on regional and national topics in art and cultural history.
Design: Susanne Stich, BüroStich | Image research: Judith Granzow, Head of the Photography Collection at the Potsdam Museum | Photos: Unknown
