Potsdam

Potsdam is a city southwest of Berlin. It seemed much more relaxed than its neighbour to the northeast.

For some reason I had it in my head that this is what a German city should look like.

Potsdam has a 'Dutch Quarter' with architecture that does not blend at all with the rest of the city. The Netherlands were very prosperous and the powers-that-be wanted some Dutch citizens to move to Potsdam and bring some of their wealth with them. To that end, they hired a Dutch architect to design an area that would feel like home with the if-you-build-it-they-will-come mentality. The people for whom this area was intended felt perfectly happy where they were, and didn't move, and now the area is full of cute little shops.

Nauener Tor

and Brandenberger Tor, remain from when Potsdam was a walled city