Europe’s biggest mountain park attracts with illuminated water fountains
Due to its geographical location within Northern Hessen, Kassel is exactly in the middle of Germany. An enormous amount of museums some of which are unique in Germany and even Europe create a special interest in this city. Above all Kassel boasts worldwide renown for its famous and unique modern art fair Documenta and the world cultural heritage Wilhelmshöhe.
Particularly the Mountain Park Wilhelmshöhe is very enchanting. Freely accessible, the most spectacular stations are reachable by mountain park bus. Europe’s biggest mountain park is well known for its water fountains, variety in flora, museums and places of interest. Since 23rd of June, 2013 the mountain park Wilhelmshöhe is listed as UNESCO’s world heritage.
Hercules is the symbol of this town. Since 1717 the landmark of Kassel stands at the summit of mount Karlsberg in an altitude of 530 metres. The statue marks the end of a 1.5 kilometre long cascade arrangement. On an octagon with an observation deck a precipitous pyramid arises which is crowned by the monumental statue of Hercules. The monument as a whole is 71 metres high. From the big observation platform the view of the low mountain ranges, Harz and Rhön, is excellent. The inside of the pyramid is also open to the public.
Looking at Löwenburg from afar will give you the impression of a romantic knight’s castle of the Middle Ages. Embedded in a scenery composed of parade ground, castle garden and vineyard, the castle was built between 1793 and 1801 under Landgrave Wilhelm IX of Hessen-Kassel, who later became elector-prince Wilhelm I. In the interior of this baroque summer residence lavish rooms are dominating. Pieces of historical furniture, paintings, glasses, bronze and a wonderful weapons collection as well as medieval glass windows fascinate visitors.
The Castle of Wilhelmshöhe with a famous gallery of old masters‘ paintings, an antique collection and graphic collection as well as the Castle Museum is the centre of attraction for art lovers from all over the world.
Mountain Park Wilhelmshöhe has a rich flora. In 1790 plantation of the rose island arrangement started. Today there are approx. 1000 different kinds of shrub roses, climbing roses, wild roses and hybrids, even the oldest cultivated German rose "pearl of white stone" is found here. The big greenhouse with local and exotic plants complements the splendour of free nature. From May to October the water fountains (water arts) take place on Wednesdays and Sundays as well as during holidays. The water fountains in Wilhelmshöhe are illuminated from June to September every 1st Saturday of the month.
Other places of interest are Karlsaue, the Federal Horticultural Show (Bundesgartenschau), the Astronomical-Physical Cabinet with planetarium and the Marble Bath.
Arnstadt (Thuringia), Berlin - Mitte, Ebenrode/Stallupönen, Florence (Italy), Mulhouse (France), Västeras (Sweden), Rovaniemi (Finland), Jaroslawl (Russia), Ramat Gan (Israel), Izmit (Turkey), Nowy Urengoi (Sibiria).
More information: http://www.kassel.de/englisch/
Photo: Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock
