Germany's newest World Heritage site: Wilhelmshöhe
UNESCO has added the Wilhelmshöhe mountainside park to its list of culturally and naturally significant sites, making it the 38th such location in Germany.
Germany's 38th site
Kassel residents can be proud. The city's Wilhelmshöhe mountainside park has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. Now tourists have another reason to come and admire its lovely fountain. The city, known for hosting the Documenta contemporary art fair, can also boast of its traditions of classical architecture and landscaping.
An imposing site
An aerial shot helps one appreciate how spectacular the park and its structures really are. In total, the landscape covers a space roughly equal to 350 football fields. At its center is a powerful, walled-in Hercules statue from which water cascades. Work began on the park in the year 1696 under the direction of a landgrave in the region of Hesse, which is now the German state that houses Kassel.
Art and antiques
At the lower end of the sloping park, visitors can marvel at the Wilhelmshöhe Palace. A monastery was located there previously, followed by a small hunting lodge. In the course of the 18th century, the site developed into a large palace complex, modeled after French counterparts. Today, the building houses a classical art exhibition as well as an antique collection.
Hercules on the lookout
At the other end of the park, a regal Hercules statue completed in 1717 observes all that's going on beneath him. He's positioned atop a pedestal that crowns an octagonal pyramid. The entire structure is 71 meters tall (233 feet) and visible from far away. Over time, the Hercules figure has become a symbol of the city. And at his feet, the park's famous fountain begins its course.
Tourist magnet
The fountains are the most spectacular element of the UNESCO World Heritage newcomer. Starting at the Hercules statue, the water flows forth and then down for 250 meters by way of a branching step system. From May to early October, a water show takes place two times weekly - a site visitors from around the world like to take in.
Lost in the past
The park isn't short on attractions. One standout is known as the Löwenburg castle, which was built at the end of the 18th century near the southern part of the park. It draws inspiration from medieval knights' castles in England and was originally conceived as a partial ruin - a romantic spot that would invite visitors to dream of the past.
Gardening as art
English, French and Italian influences have been absorbed by the architects and landscape planners here over the centuries since the park's inception. Smaller structures dot the entire facility, recalling various epochs of world and cultural history. The Jussow Temple, pictured here with its open colonnade and closed interior space echoes fixtures in English parks.
Fantastic landscapes
Visiting Wilhelmshöhe can be enticing at any time of year. During the winter months, fewer people come, but those who do can enjoy dreamy snowscapes. When icy temperatures arrive, the fountains and waterfalls form into surprising and sometimes bizarre shapes. Here you could practically scale your way up to the bridge.
Glowing attractions
The evening is another spectacular time to visit. Lit up by spotlights, the park's artworks take on new dimensions. An aqueduct may remind viewers of its Roman predecessors. Just as with the Löwenburg castle, the aqueduct was constructed as a ruin to invoke associations with the past.
Reason to celebrate
City officials in Kassel were quite pleased to hear UNESCO had decided to list Wilhelmshöhe among its World Heritage sites. As the state of Hesse's culture minister put it, the decision makes Kassel a destination of global significance. Tourism experts have found that the UNESCO designation tends to increase the number of visitors by about 10 percent.
Party in the park
This weekend (29-30.06.2013), the city is planning to make sure the park is full thanks to a celebration. But the UNESCO designation also entails plenty of upkeep work. The commission regularly checks to ensure that its sites are properly maintained and not being changed. And in Kassel, at least, Hercules will also be keeping on eye on things.