Tourist Highlights
Tourist Sights
Wilhelmshöhe Berg Park
Europe’s Largest Hillside Park
The most outstanding sights and attractions include the Herkules monument, the ornamental water displays, Schloss Wilhelmshöhe, the Löwenburg castle ruins, Hothouse and Ballroom.
Towering above them all is the 8.35-metre-high Herkules Farnese, based on the antique figure, a copper replica of the first colossal statue of modern times north of the Alps which served as a model for later works such as the Hermann Monument and the Statue of Liberty
Ornamental Water Displays
Each year visitors can enjoy the breathtaking spectacle of the ornamental water displays which flow down from the Herkules monument. The cool water flows over the cascading stone steps, past the Steinhöfer waterfall and the Teufelsbrücke (Devil’s Bridge) and continues downwards over the aqueduct to reach its final destination, the Big Fountain in the palace lake which sends the water shooting 52 metres into the air by means of natural pressure.
The ornamental water displays use up 1.200m³ of water. Rain and melted ice are collected for the purpose in various basins. There are two paths along which the water flows and it passes through each level solely by means of natural pressure; no artificial assistance of any kind is used. Once the water displays are finished, the water is diverted underground into the River Fulda. Seven people are needed to open the water sluices at the appropriate places.
The ornamental water displays are particularly impressive in the twilight hours when illuminations light the water’s path from the Herkules monument down to Schloss Wilhelmshöhe.
Open from mid-May to early October on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Displays start at 2.30pm at the foot of the Herkules monument.
They end at 3.45pm at the Big Fountain.
Illuminated Ornamental Water Displays
The illuminated ornamental water displays take place from June to September on the first Saturday of each month. In June and July starting times are 10pm, in August 9.30pm and in September 9pm. Come and experience the impressive spectacle of the illuminated cascading stone steps and the magnificent fountain in the twilight hours.
Schloss Wilhelmshöhe
Wilhelm IX replaced the hunting lodge of Landgrave Moritz with one of the last large buildings dating from the age of absolutism; Wilhelmshöhe Palace (1786-98), a tribute to classicism conceived as a summer residence.
In 1829, the original three-wing building built by the architects S.L. du Ry and H. C. Jussow in accordance with a charming pavilion system based on an English model was enclosed in a block-type design by Heinrich Regenbogen, the chief court architect.
Since 1974 the central section, which was destroyed during the war and rebuilt, has been home to the world-famous picture gallery housing old masters such as Cranach, Dürer, Rembrandt, Hals, Rubens, van Dyck, Jordaens and Titian in addition to the antique collection at the Kassel Apollon art gallery. The intact south Weissenstein wing contains castle rooms fitted with historical furnishings
Löwenburg
The Löwenburg (1793-1801), one of Europe’s finest examples of a neo-Gothic architectural ruin, was built alongside the summer palace during the reign of Wilhelm IX. It houses some valuable furnishings from medieval and early modern times as well as from the Romantic period.
Hothouse
The neighbouring hothouse, built by Johann Conrad Bromeis in 1822, is one of Europe’s earliest glass-and-iron constructions. Among other things it contains a prestigious camellia collection as well as palms and other tropical plants.
Ballhaus
To the north of the royal palace is the ballroom area, an early work of the architect Leo von Klenze which was originally built as a theatre (1808–09) during the reign of King Jérôme. During the summer months it is used for special exhibitions organised by Kassel’s municipal museums
Information
Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall
Obere Königsstraße 8
Phone:+49(0)561/707707
Fax:+49(0)561/7077169
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday
9am to 6pm
Saturdays
9am to 2pm
Tourist & Health Spa Information
im Bahnhof Wilhelmshöhe (Intercity Railway Station)
Phone:+49(0)561/34054 Fax:+49(0)561/315216
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday
9am to 6pm
Saturdays
9am to 1pm