Waterfeatures
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe's main visitor attraction

Primeval and romantic

A huge waterway that runs from the Hercules monument down across the entire hillside: that is how Landgrave Charles envisaged the spectacular water features in his hillside park 300 years ago. He wanted to emphasise his absolute rulership and show that it was even in his power to tame the water's primal force.

The fascinating display and unique work of art still works as well today as it did back then: more than 750,000 litres of water rush downwards – propelled purely by the law of nature without the use of even a single pump.

Every year from 1 May to 3 October, visitors to the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe can experience the water feature displays every Wednesday, Sunday and on public holidays from 2.30 p.m. onwards. An annual magical highlight are the illuminated water feature displays.

You can follow the course of the water on foot. The distance of 2.3 kilometres involves a difference in altitude of 200 metres!

Water feature display sequence and times

RichText image
2.30 p.m. Start at the Cascades, below the Hercules monument
3.05 p.m. Steinhöfer Waterfall
3.20 p.m. Devil's Bridge
3.30 p.m. Aqueduct
3.45 p.m. Grand Fountain (until approx. 4 p.m.)

Please note: Due to construction works, there may be restrictions.

Health and safety information

The water features can only be experienced on foot; visitors following the water downwards must overcome a difference in altitude of 200 metres. Visitors to the Bergpark must be sure-footed, wear sensible footwear and be physically fit, as the paths are sound, but not completely without obstacles. The stairs by the Cascades have no railings; please avoid a build-up of too many visitors. 

Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe

Over 800 years of history on around 240 hectares: there is nothing like the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe anywhere else in the world. It illustrates the evolution of the art of horticulture in Europe – and how the absolute rulers used it to their advantage to emphasise their omnipotence. Nowhere else was a park this size created on such a steep hillside. How water is staged on the hillside is also exceptional: in a truly theatrical display, it rushes down from the Hercules monument over artificial rock formations, cascades and an aqueduct. The park with its historic water features has been an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.

The park's long history, from a small monastery to a monumental Baroque and an English landscape garden, has left visible traces in many areas. Numerous parts of the original park have survived intact. The park's wide variety of trees and plants is also unique; some of its trees are over 200 years old.

Informationen zum Besuch

Visitors can access Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe for free all year round.



Things to know...

Safety instructions

Park rules and regulations for download

How to get here

Recommendations for reaching the water displays by public transport

To the water displays with line 23

Bergpark Shuttle

Leaving the water displays

TIP: Day trip

Guided tours to the water features from 1 May to 3 October Hercules monument and water displays

Wasserspiele exklusiv für Sie!

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Contact

Hessen Kassel Heritage
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe
Schlosspark 1
34131 Kassel
Germany

+49 (0)561 316 80-0
info@heritage-kassel.de

Visitor service
+49 (0)561 316 80-123
service@heritage-kassel.de

Zugänglichkeit

  • Assistance dogs welcome
  • Dedicated parking bays for people with reduced mobility
  • Baby changing facilities
  • Accessible toilets
  • Not fully accessible

Events