It was Prussian king Frederick William I, known in Prussian history as the 'Soldier King,’ who turned Potsdam into a garrison city.
Frederick William I subordinated everything to the establishment of a strong army. New buildings were built to accommodate the soldiers, the area of the development increasing from 43 to 142 hectare. The streets’ orderly system and the two-storey standard-type houses are still seen today as characteristics for such 'new townships'. The Soldier King invited the Dutch - well-known to be good craftsmen - to come to Potsdam in order to populate the city and to build here.
Between 1721 and 1735, the Nikolaikirche, the Church of the Holy Ghost and the Garrison Church were built. From that time on, the church towers formed the skyline of the royal seat and garrison city of Potsdam.
