Germany is a Western European country with a landscape of forests, rivers, mountain ranges, and the North Sea beaches. It has over 2 millennia of history. Berlin, its capital, is home to art and nightlife scenes.
Kassel is considered its enchanting fairy tale land drawing in thousands of visitors every year to feel the magic. The city has several castles, a massive Hercules sculpture which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you are planning to visit Kassel, here are fun things to do while you are there.
Pay Homage to Hercules at Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is epic in scale and scope, covering a whopping 590 acres (2.4 square kilometers). Its construction, begun in 1689, took about 150 years and it has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.
At the center of the park is a simply massive Hercules monument. The copper statue sits atop the 1,725-foot-tall (526 meters) Karlsberg Mountain and commands views from all sides of the park. Sitting atop the hill since 1717, the statue is a giant replica of Hercules “Farnese” created by Johann Jacob Anthoni, a goldsmith from Augsburg.
From the observation tower at its base, you can observe the Nordhessische Mittelgebirge mountain range and a magnificent waterfall that tumbles down from the hillside.
The dramatic landscaping, with hundreds of plant species and more than 1,500 species of flowers, makes it quite a sight to behold. The waterworks take on an extra magical air every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. (from May until October) when they put on a show.
A winding road takes visitors up to the northernmost point of the park at the summit. Entry to the park is free but tickets are required for entry into the castles. If you would like to approach the hard way, there are 200 steps to the summit from the bottom of the hill.
Admire the Art at Schloss Wilhelmshöhe
Also located in Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, this neoclassical palace was the favorite summer retreat of Germany Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II. Constructed in 1786, the palace includes an impressive art collection of antiquities and old masters, including the second largest collection of Rembrandts in Germany.
The collection was assembled by William VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel in the early 18th century.
The Corps de Logis (central block of the palace) and its dome—inspired by the Pantheon of Rome—were destroyed in an air raid of 1945. The palace was rebuilt between 1968 and 1974 and converted into a museum.
Go Medieval at Löwenburg Castle
Yet another castle on the grounds of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, the Lion’s Castle is a rustic semi-ruined palace meant to resemble the baroque style of medieval architecture. Built between 1793 and 1801, it was inspired by the Scottish Ossian cycle of epic poems.
This castle was decorated in the richest finery of the day. Its lavish interior features royal rooms full of paintings, tapestries, stained glass, and furniture. There is also a fully equipped armory and Neo-Gothic chapel where Landgrave Wilhelm IX is entombed. Outside, the beautiful gardens continue with a vineyard and menagerie.
The castle’s almost ruined look became a reality during the air raids of WWII. However, extensive renovation brought new life to the castle and it is now open to tours.
Live the Fairy Tale
Germany is the source of some of the world’s most beloved fairy tales. The German Fairy Tale Route (Deutsche Märchenstraße) takes visitors along this charming route to Hanau, Steinau, Marburg, and—of course—Kassel. The city is not just a stop on the road, it is the headquarters of the organization that created the route.
This stop on the Fairy Tale Road holds an entire world dedicated to the founders of fairy tales, the Brothers Grimm. GRIMM WELT (or Grimm’s World) holds impressive artifacts to our word of make-believe. Its most notable piece is the original 1812 edition of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” (“Kinder-und Hausmärchen”). Younger children will be entertained by interactive exhibits and video installations.
Prepare for the Avant-Garde at Documenta
This avant-garde art exhibit takes place every five years at Fridericianum, as well as locations around the city like Schloss Wilhelmshöhe and the Karlsaue. Starting in 1955 after the cultural wasteland of WWII, Documenta runs for 100 days (leading to its other name, “Museum of 100 Days”) and has led the way in experimental modern art.
This exhibit was one of the first to utilize laser beams illuminating a building and is still used most weekends. Other famous exhibits include “7000 Eichen” by German artist Joseph Beuys which had thousands of oaks planted around the city and “The Parthenon of Books” by the artist Marta Minujin created with thousands of donated books. A range of artists from Picasso to Kandinsky have contributed to the show.
