As final part of their education the scions of aristocracy were sent on an extensive journey; they should have the chance to see for themselves the famous historic sites of Europe. “Grand tour” was the term for this educational trip. The artistically minded crown prince Friedrich Wilhelm visited Italy when he was 33 years old; during his stay, he sent enthusiastic letters back to his wife.

„Mir wird schwiemlich; Genua hat mir völlig den sehr vielen Verstand der mir seit dem Ingresso in Italia noch übrig blieb geraubt. […] wo wir das Mittel Meer zuerst sahen, bekam ich einen Stoß & nun mit jedem Schritt Berg ab! wo die Vegetazion mit unsrem Wege wuchs, endlich waren Cypressen, 100 Pergole, immergrüne Eichen, Pinien, Aloe, Myrthen, Orangen!!!!!!! & zu letzt das brausende Meer, daß sich donnernd an den Grundfesten der Straße & des großen Pharus brach! Dort ein Schritt um die Ecke & ganz Genua vor den Augen !!!!!!!!!“
(“I feel all giddy; Genoa has entirely robbed me of whatever sanity was left since we entered Italy […] where we saw the Mediterranean for the very first time, I was dealt a blow & now with every step downhill where the vegetation increased, the further we got, finally were cypresses, 100 pergolas, evergreen oaks, pines, aloe, myrtles, oranges!!!! & finally the thunderous sea that broke forcefully on the foundations of the road & the lighthouse! There just one step & all of Genoa is before my eyes.”)

At the time of his ascension to the throne in 1840 Friedrich Wilhelm IV his love for Italy gained full momentum. Charlottenhof palace, the Roman Baths, the Church of Peace and the Orangery Palace all spread an Italian air in Potsdam.
The leaf-gilded initials of the king, FW IV, grace the Green Gate besides the Church of Peace. The gate is the main entrance of the palace grounds of Sanssouci.