Hercules Monument
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Why go
- The monument marks the western, highest point of a Baroque sightline via Schloss Wilhelmshöhe and Wilhelmshöher Allee toward Kassel’s city centre.
- The Belvedere viewing platform overlooks the mountain park and surrounding area.
- Landgrave Carl commissioned Hercules as a symbol of his power, designed to be seen from far away.
Opening hours
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About the work
- Statue maker
- Johann Jacob Anthoni
- Statue creation
- 1713–1717
- Statue material
- Copper
- Statue size
- 8.30 metres tall, on a three-metre pedestal
- Statue supporting frame
- Made by Kassel smith Johann Balthasar Klocke
- Statue interpretation
- The figure follows the resting Farnese Hercules: leaning forward thoughtfully, it rests its left arm on a club draped with the Nemean lion’s skin and holds the apples of the Hesperides behind its back in its right hand.
Interesting facts4
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The copper statue consists of 21 prefabricated sections with joints that can be undone.
Herkules (Kassel) - Wikipedia -
70 metres
The Oktogon, also called the Riesenschloss, is an open, unglazed, eight-sided building 70 metres across and 33 metres high.
Herkules (Kassel) - Wikipedia -
179 metres
The statue’s top stands 179 metres above the foot of the cascades.
Hercules monument (Kassel) - Wikipedia -
Reservoirs supply water through underground pipes using natural pressure, with manually opened locks controlling the flow.
Hercules monument (Kassel) - Wikipedia
Shorts
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History
The monument’s tuff weathers quickly, especially through frost erosion, creating structural problems. The octagon and cascades are made from nearby quarried tuff.
- 1696Construction of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe began.
- 1701–1717The monument complex was built to designs by Italian architect Giovanni Francesco Guerniero.
- 30 November 1717The copper statue was placed atop the pyramid, completing the monument.
- 1900A copper plaque found inside the statue’s head established Anthoni’s authorship.
- Late 2005A complete restoration, including the statue, began. The tuff’s vulnerability to weathering, especially frost, has caused structural problems throughout the monument’s history.
Show all
- 2013The monument and park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their Baroque architecture and water features.
Best time to visit
- The seasonal water display runs on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons from May to October.
- Evening water displays with coloured lighting take place on the first Saturday of each month from June through September.
Sources: Hercules monument (Kassel) - Wikipedia · Hessen Kassel Heritage – Hercules in Bergpark W… · Herkules (Kassel) - Wikipedia · Statue d'Hercule - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +4956131680123
Questions and answers
When is Hercules Monument open?
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00.
Where is Hercules Monument?
The address is Schlosspark Wilhelmshoehe 28, Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, Kassel, in the Bad Wilhelmshöhe district.
How many steps lead to the top of Hercules Monument?
The staircase has 520 steps.
Can visitors get wet at Hercules Monument’s water features?
The Vexierwassergrotte, east of the Oktogon, has operating water jets that can spray visitors.
How can I contact Hercules Monument?
Call +49 561 31680123.
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