Kassel Attractions - The Top 10 Most Popular Sights

The city of Kassel in the heart of Germany is best known worldwide for the documenta art exhibition, which takes place here every five years. In the meantime, Kassel has a lot to offer as well.

The cityscape is shaped both by the Landgraves of the 17th and 18th centuries and by the many icons of 1950s architecture. After the destruction of the old town during the war, Kassel reinvented itself with such success that a city trip to Kassel is now a unique experience. Here, we have summarized the 10 most beautiful sights in Kassel for you.

In the largest mountain park in Europe, a special attraction awaits you. In the midst of the impressive garden, the spectacular Kassel water games take place during the summer months.

The water games have been around since 1714. Just like back then, the system still operates without any electrical pumps. The basin at the Hercules statue, the starting point of the water games, is naturally filled with water. It then flows through the various stations of the system due to elevations and pressure, ultimately shooting into the sky in a 164-foot fountain in front of Wilhelmshöhe Palace.

Visitors to the park can follow the water on foot, allowing them to explore the various areas of the mountain park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2013. The circuit of the water lasts about 1.5 hours. However, you can certainly stay longer in the mountain park, as the spacious green areas invite you to linger.

Address: Schloßpark Wilhelmshöhe 22 34131 Kassel

Located in the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, this neoclassical palace was constructed by Landgrave Wilhelm IX between 1768 and 1798. Originally, the round building consisted of three separate wings, which were later connected. The result was so convincing that not only the Landgraves but also the German imperial families used the palace as a summer residence.

When the war-destroyed palace was rebuilt in the 1960s, original accuracy was unfortunately not always achieved. An exception is the White Stone Wing, which has been preserved in its original condition and can now be visited as a museum. With its furnishings based on historical models, it provides an excellent impression of what life was like in the palace.

In addition to visiting the palace itself, the 'Old Masters' gallery located in the building is also worth seeing, showcasing works from Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck, among others.

Address: Schloßpark 1 34131 Kassel

At 7 AM, the doors of the Kassel Market Hall open, located in a restored horse stable once established by Landgrave Wilhelm IV. Under the glass roof, around 60 different stalls offer their goods.

Nowhere else can you sample so many different special Kassel delicacies in a short time. Indulge in the culinary world of Kassel with specialties like Ahle Wurscht or Griene Soße. Not sure what that is? No problem, you'll learn all about it in the market hall-best done through personal tasting!

Address: Wildemannsgasse 1 34117 Kassel

When the Fridericianum was built in the late 18th century at Friedrichsplatz in the city center, it was already planned as a museum. Art objects of the Hessian Landgraves were to be displayed here. Furthermore, it housed the princely library of Kassel. After a brief interlude as the parliamentary building of the Kingdom of Westphalia, it returned to its original purpose.

Today, the Fridericianum is home to the world-renowned documenta, the exhibition for contemporary art that occurs every five years. When documenta is not taking place, the Fridericianum hosts other exhibitions that change annually.

At the end of the building stands the Zwehrenturm. It dates back to the 14th century and is the last remaining medieval structure in Kassel. The Fridericianum was only built around 400 years later after the fortifications that stood at this site were demolished.

Address: Friedrichspl. 18 34117 Kassel

An artificially created island in the Karlsaue State Park has attracted visitors since the early 18th century. It has always been used as a landscape garden, hence its nickname 'Flower Island.' The plantings change with each season, so even locals can discover something new here every time.

The well-kept walking paths lead through diverse trees and gardens and invite you to stroll. There used to be a few small hills from which one could enjoy the view, but these were removed in the 19th century. Nevertheless, the Flower Island still remains an idyllic haven for relaxation.

The Orangerie was once part of Kassel's city palace until it was destroyed by fire. The elongated galleries inside served as banquet halls for the Hessian Landgraves during summer and as a pleasure palace. In winter, citrus fruits from the garden were brought here to survive the cold months.

The fate of the Orangerie changed in the 19th century when large parts of Kassel were destroyed during the French occupation. World War II made matters worse. Unfortunately, the subsequent restoration was limited to the façade. Today, the interior impresses with different features: it houses the Astronomical-Physical Cabinet and the planetarium.

Address: Auedamm 20B 34121 Kassel

Right next to the Orangerie lies the Marble Bath. The magnificent interior contains numerous marble sculptures, busts, and wall reliefs, with ceilings and walls richly decorated with stucco. This opulence makes the Marble Bath the last significant bathing house from Germany's late Baroque period.

Landgrave Karl von Hessen-Kassel likely built the Marble Bath as a bathing house in the 1720s, yet it was never used for its intended purpose. Instead, he and subsequent Landgraves utilized the ornate building for festivities or simply to show off its lavish furnishing. A visit by today's tourists would surely be in line with the wishes of the Landgraves.

Address: An der Karlsaue 20d 34121 Kassel

The Grimm World is a modern and interactive exhibition about the life and works of the Brothers Grimm, who lived and worked in Kassel for many years. The beautiful view over the Kassel South City is due to its location on a vineyard.

Many of the stories by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were collected right here in Southern Hesse. Since 2015, the Grimm World has provided detailed information about this. Among the exhibits are personal copies of the Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales, complete with handwritten notes by the brothers themselves.

Tip: Very near the Grimm World is the Brüder-Grimm-Platz with a monument to these significant sons of the city. Right next to it, in the Torwache, the two once lived.

Address: Weinbergstraße 21 34117 Kassel

The Natural History Museum of Kassel includes an impressive permanent exhibition on the history of the Earth and nature in Northern Hesse, as well as changing special exhibitions on various nature themes. Visitors are already put in the right mood at the entrance, as a life-sized dinosaur stands right in front of the museum.

The building of today's Natural History Museum was completed in 1606 under Landgrave Moritz of Hessen-Kassel and was named after his favorite son. It originally served as a theater. By the end of the 17th century, however, the Ottoneum was remodeled for the storage of art objects.

In the 19th century, natural history collections were added to the exhibits, leading to the opening of the building as the Royal Prussian Natural History Museum. While the name may not have lasted, its use as a natural history museum certainly did.

Address: Steinweg 2 34117 Kassel

In Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe stands an artificial castle ruin. Landgrave Wilhelm IX expressly desired a ruin because it was more romantic and emotional than an ordinary castle. Perhaps this wish for romance stemmed from the fact that he primarily used Löwenburg as a pleasure palace and residence for his mistress.

Tours of the Löwenburg lead to the living quarters and other parts of the estate, such as the armory. Even if not all areas of the castle were reconstructed faithfully and some parts of the interior furnishings are still stored elsewhere, the Löwenburg still provides an exciting insight into the (pleasure) life of the Landgraves.

Tip: Also visit the small labyrinth with a round arch alley located behind the castle.

Address: Schloßpark 9 34131 Kassel

From art exhibitions and historic estates to beautifully designed parks, Kassel is a fascinating destination for a city trip in Germany. Immerse yourself in this distinctive city and get to know the self-proclaimed navel of Germany.