Hercules Monument & Cascades
Herkules
A Baroque colossus on the summit of Wilhelmshöhe. An octagonal tower is topped by a bronze statue of Hercules more than 8 m tall, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark.
The Hercules Monument was built between 1701 and 1717 and stands at the highest point of the Wilhelmshöhe hill park. Its lower section is a huge octagonal stone structure. On top of the pyramid-shaped roof stands an 8.25 m bronze figure of Hercules, and below it, a long cascade of stepped waterfalls tumbles down the hillside. Together with the park, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. From the terrace of the octagonal tower, you can look down the central axis to the palace at the foot of the hill and across the whole city of Kassel. The terrace ticket costs about €4, and the visitor center has exhibits and a café. Take Tram Line 1 from the city center to the Wilhelmshöhe stop, then transfer to Bus 22 up the hill.
Opening hours
All day; observation platform approx. March–November 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Löwenburg
- Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe Water Features
- Wilhelmshöhe Palace & Old Masters Gallery
- Schloss Wilhelmsthal
- Museum für Sepulkralkultur
- Grimmwelt Kassel
- Hessisches Landesmuseum Kassel
- Neue Galerie