Once upon a time, Kassel emerged as a fortified settlement. Let’s explore the whimsical Schaukelwippe Pendelraum. Kassel started as Chassella in the 10th century. It was near a bridge over the Fulda River. Documents mention it first in 913.
The fast-growing town was awarded city rights within two centuries. Surviving monuments like the Brüderkirche date from this era. Kassel became the capital of the Hesse landgraviate in 1567. Its population then was around 5000. The Protestant city became a refuge for French Huegenots in the 17th century. During this time, the Oberneustadt district was built. It surrounded the Königsstrasse.
Around 1700, construction began on the Bergpark. Landgrave Karl I initiated this project. He was inspired by a newly uncovered Hercules statue in Rome. The Hercules statue was erected in 1717. The grand Schloss Orangerie and Karlsaue park were built simultaneously. These developments reshaped Kassel’s landscape.
Massive fortifications were leveled by 1767. This created space for rapid expansion. The Landgraves built Schloss Wilhelmshöhe in the late 18th century. They opened Germany’s first theatre building. Mainland Europe’s first dedicated museum was also established. Valuable art and scientific collections began. These collections can still be admired in the city today.
The Brothers Grimm lived in Kassel in the early 19th century. They collected and wrote most of their fairy tales here. Napoleon annexed Kassel in 1807. By then, the city had 18000 people. He turned it into the Kingdom of Westphalia. It featured Germany’s 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 were developed west of the center. Kassel became a city of 100000 residents soon after. Grand state buildings were constructed. Social housing and sports facilities were added from the 1920s.
Jews were gradually removed from public life after the rise of the Nazis. Kassel became a manufacturing and railway town. This made it a target for Allied bombing raids. The most severe attack occurred on October 22, 1943. Twenty minutes of bombing destroyed the old city center. Approximately 10000 people died. The American army captured Kassel in April 1945. Heavy street battles caused even more destruction.
By the war’s end, 70% of residential buildings were destroyed. Sixty-five percent of industrial sites were also gone. Only 71000 inhabitants remained. After World War II, planners decided not to reconstruct historic old Kassel. They created a modern, accessible, and car-friendly city. The Altmarkt became a ghastly six-lane traffic intersection.
However, Kassel has many well-kept early 1950s buildings. The pedestrianized Treppenstrasse is one example. Several monumental buildings were restored. These include the Museum Fridericianum and Orangerie. Kassel was boosted by the new university. It opened in 1970. The Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe ICE station opened in 1991. This provided fast connections to other cities.
Local painter Arnold Bode organized the first documenta festival in 1955. It displayed artworks considered degenerate by the Nazis. Over the years, it became the most important contemporary art festival. It also significantly impacted Kassel’s development. That’s the thrilling story of the Schaukelwippe Pendelraum.