Kassel
Fantastic things:
Welcome to Kassel, in the heart of the German Fairy Tale Route. Follow in the footsteps of the Brothers Grimm in a city full of tradition, the former seat of power of the aristocratic Landgraves and Electors of Hesse.
Experience unique museums, palaces and parks; enjoy the broad pedestrian areas with attractive opportunities for shopping.
For those wishing relaxation, the city offers many green spaces and opportunities for recreation in nearby areas. Enjoy the magnificent view over Kassel and the surrounding region when visiting the Hercules monument. Kassel's city landmark is in the midst of Europe's largest hillside park, the Bergpark.
Change pace and relax at the health spa resort at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe or treat yourself to a memorable visit to the Kurhessen Therme, a fascinating bathing and wellness centre.
Kassel is the "City of Art-Works" and not just every 5 years, when the documenta exhibits contemporary art. In the Bergpark, marvel at the magnificent ornamental water gardens and the palace with its outstanding collections of art as well as the Löwenburg castle ruins. In the city centre, visitors can choose among highly-ranked museums.
Take the time to discover and enjoy Kassel, then you will understand why, in 1830, Jakob Grimm said: "The time I spent in Kassel were the happiest years of my life".
Enchanting places:
Throughout the city, you will discover a unique range of museums which are among the best in Europe. Top of the list is the Brüder Grimm Museum in the Palais Bellevue, Schöne Aussicht 2, 34117 Kassel, open daily from 10am - 5pm.
The Murhardsche Bibliothek (library) houses the Brothers Grimm archives and the Brothers Grimm Society in Kassel. It was here that a memorial was unveiled in memory of the Fairy Tale Brothers on the 200th anniversary of their birth in 1985. The museum is situated in Brüder Grimm Platz 4A, 34117 Kassel.
The Fridericanum was the first public museum in Europe; today, it is at the centre of the documenta exhibitions. The Brothers Grimm once worked here as librarians in the Electoral Library. The museum is situated on Friedrichsplatz, 34117 Kassel.
The ‘Dorothea Viehmann' Fairy Tale Parlour, Knorrstrasse 6, 34134 Kassel.
Open Sundays only from 2-5pm.
Interesting information about Kassel and the Brothers Grimm:
The Brothers Grimm were brought to Kassel by their aunt in 1798 to attend the ‘Lyceum Fridericianum' high school. The brothers stayed on in Kassel for over thirty years. After completing studies in Marburg, they both secured posts in what was then the Electoral Library, today the Fridericanum. In addition to their work as librarians they were actively engaged in linguistic and literary research. The brothers' "German Grammar" is still a standard work for all language scholars today.
However, the success of the German Fairy Tale Route is due, above all, to the brothers' world-famous "Grimm's Fairy Tales" which have been translated into 160 languages. Millions of print editions have carried the spirit of the fairy tales to countries throughout the world.
The Brothers Grimm ensured that the tales and legends which ordinary people and citizens used to entertain themselves in the evenings have been preserved for us. In addition to other work in linguistic and literary research, they collected countless fairy tales over a period of six years until the first volume of "Grimm's Fairy Tales" was published in 1812. A certain Dorothea Viehmann, known as the "Fairy Tale Woman", from Niederzwehren which is now part of the city of Kassel was instrumental in helping the brothers with their work. In her parent's guest house, known as the "Knallhütte", she listened while the merchant travellers, trades people and wagon drivers told their stories and legends which she committed to memory in order to relate them to the brothers.
Phone: 05 61 / 70 77-07
Fax: 05 61 / 70 77-2 00
eMail: tourist@kassel-tourist.de
www.kassel-tourist.de
