Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Park and Statue in Kassel

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is a baroque park located in Kassel, Germany. It is one of the largest and most unique hillside parks in Europe, covering an area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 square kilometers). The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

The centrepiece of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe is the impressive Hercules monument, which is situated on top of 526-meter-tall Karlsberg mountain and overlooks the park. The monument is a towering copper statue of the mythological figure of Hercules, standing at 82 feet (25 meters) tall. It was constructed in the early 18th century and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Kassel.

Another notable feature of the park is the cascading water display known as the Wilhelmshöhe Waterfall. It is the second-tallest man-made waterfall in Europe, with a height of 350 feet (106 meters). The waterfall is fed by an artificial lake known as the Teich, which is situated at the top of the hill above the Hercules monument. The water flows down a series of terraces and pools before reaching the bottom of the park.

The park also features a variety of other attractions, such as the Löwenburg Castle, a replica of a medieval castle, and the Karlsaue Park, a spacious public park that is home to the Orangery, a baroque greenhouse that houses a collection of tropical plants.

Visitors to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe can take a leisurely stroll through the park or ride the Wilhelmshöhe funicular, a cable car that takes visitors up to the Hercules monument and the Teich. The park is open year-round and hosts a number of events and festivals throughout the year, including the annual Kassel Documentary Film and Video Festival.

The Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Kassel!

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