Studying in Kassel

If spending time in the green outdoors is your idea of a break from learning and studying, then Kassel is the place to be. The city sports a boast-worthy collection of natural attractions and historical sites: we’ve already made brief mention of Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, the UNESCO world heritage site in Kassel. This is not just a conventional park as it also contains the 9m tall Hercules statue, Schloss Wilhelmshöhe (a museum housing valuable antiques, paintings and artefacts related to its construction), Löwenburg (the reconstructed castle ruins from the Middle Ages), botanical gardens, as well as a large greenhouse with tropical flora and fauna. It’s an enjoyable and relaxing place to visit after a long week and due to the great variety of sites contained inside the park, you will return often to take it all in.

The Karlsaue Park, close to the river Fulda, is yet another one of Kassel’s many green spaces. Just like the Bergpark, you will find botanical gardens but also be able to take guided tours or visit the scientific exhibitions in the Orangerie with your friends. On a lighter note, this park also hosts several themed festivals and events such as open-air concerts or seasonal fairs throughout the year, which are worth keeping an eye out for.

Your exploring surely won’t end in Kassel, as the city is closely associated with the German folklorists, the Brothers Grimm. You probably know their fairy tales: Cinderella, Snow White and many others (although they have changed much in the retelling and translation). Kassel is one of the stops of the so-called Märchenstraße, a themed trip that runs throughout German cities and towns most prominently featured in the stories. This tour is a great opportunity for folklore and fairy tale enthusiasts (and those who are purely nostalgic), to explore some of these places and their historical sites, retracing the steps of the brothers throughout Germany.