“Did you know that St. Laurentius has watched Kassel transform over centuries?” Let’s step back in time together. St. Laurentius stands as a testament to Kassel’s rich tapestry of history and rebirth.
Kassel itself began as Chassella in the 10th century. It was a fortified settlement near the Fulda River. Documents mention it first in 913. The town grew fast. It gained city rights within two centuries. Surviving monuments such as the Br\u00fcderkirche and Martinskirche date from this era.
In 1567, Kassel became the capital of the Hesse landgraviate. Its population was around 5000. The Protestant city welcomed French Huegenots fleeing persecution in the 17th century. The Oberneustadt district grew around the K\u00f6nigsstrasse.
Around 1700, Landgrave Karl I began construction on the Bergpark. This was west of the city. The Hercules statue was erected in 1717. It was inspired by a visit to a newly uncovered Hercules statue in Rome. The grand Schloss Orangerie and Karlsaue park were built then, too.
Kassel’s massive fortifications became outdated by 1767. They were leveled to create space for expansion. The Landgraves built Schloss Wilhelmsh\u00f6he in the late 18th century. They opened Germany’s first theatre building and mainland Europe’s first dedicated museum. They also started valuable art and scientific collections.
The Brothers Grimm lived in Kassel in the early 19th century. They collected and wrote most of their fairy tales here. In 1807, Napoleon annexed Kassel. It then had 18000 people. He turned it into the Kingdom of Westphalia. It featured Germany’s very first constitution and parliament.
Industrialization arrived in 1866. Kassel and Hessen became part of Prussia. The Henschel factory specialized in steam engines. It built 12000 of them. Elegant residential areas developed west of the center. Kassel soon had 100000 residents.
After the Nazis rose to power in the 1930s, Jews were gradually removed from public life. Kassel became a manufacturing and railway hub. This made it a target for Allied bombing raids. The worst attack occurred on October 22, 1943. Twenty minutes of bombing destroyed the old city center. About 10000 people died.
The American army captured Kassel in April 1945. Heavy street battles caused more destruction. By war’s end, 70% of residential buildings and 65% of industrial sites were destroyed. Only 71000 inhabitants remained.
After World War II, city planners chose not to rebuild historic old Kassel. They created a modern, accessible city. The Altmarkt became a six-lane intersection. But Kassel gained well-kept 1950s buildings. Heavily damaged buildings like the Museum Fridericianum were restored.
The new university opened in 1970. The Kassel-Wilhelmsh\u00f6he ICE station opened in 1991. It provided fast connections to Frankfurt and Hannover.
In 1955, Arnold Bode organized the first Documenta festival. It displayed artworks considered “degenerate” by the Nazis. It grew into the world’s most important contemporary art festival. It boosted Kassel’s development.
So, as you stand before St. Laurentius, remember the resilience of Kassel. The city rose from ashes. It embraced modernity. It became a center for art and culture. St. Laurentius stands as a silent witness to this incredible journey. It embodies the spirit of Kassel.