"Descending a long hill dominated by a giant statue of Hercules, the
monumental water displays of Wilhelmshöhe were begun by Landgrave Carl
of Hesse-Kassel in 1689 around an east-west axis and were developed
further into the 19th century. Reservoirs and channels behind the
Hercules Monument supply water to a complex system of hydro-pneumatic
devices that supply the site’s large Baroque water theatre, grotto,
fountains and 350-metre long Grand Cascade. Beyond this, channels and
waterways wind across the axis, feeding a series of dramatic waterfalls
and wild rapids, the geyser-like Grand Fountain which leaps 50m high,
the lake and secluded ponds that enliven the Romantic garden created in
the 18th century by Carl’s great-grandson, Elector Wilhelm I. The great
size of the park and its waterworks along with the towering Hercules
statue constitute an expression of the ideals of absolutist Monarchy
while the ensemble is a remarkable testimony to the aesthetics of the
Baroque and Romantic periods." -http://whc.unesco.org
Postcard 1
Got this on August 2011 as a postcrossing official card from Yvonne who resides in Kassel.
Never did she mention that this was on the UNESCO Tentative list back then...
Glad I checked my cards from Germany and saw this!
Postcard 2
"The area of the park is 2.4 square kilometers making it the largest European hillside park and second largest park on a mountain slope in the world...", shares Liane.
Thank you so much Liane for this beautiful postcard!
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