Did you know that Schlosspark Kalkum in Dusseldorf boasts a history stretching back to the 9th century? Right here before us lies a landscape sculpted by centuries of history and meticulous design. Let’s step into this captivating world.
Schlosspark Kalkum’s story begins not with a grand castle but a royal court. Founded during the Frankish period this site thrived near the waters of the Schwarzbach. This stream still feeds the castle’s moats. The area was initially a royal court. Then it evolved into a medieval fortified knight’s seat. Later it transformed into a Baroque castle. The Schlosspark Kalkum as we know it today however emerged primarily from an extensive 19th-century transformation.
Countess Maria Anna von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg-Weisweiler inherited Schloss Kalkum in the early 1800s. She commissioned the architect Georg Peter Leydel for a major renovation. Leydel’s vision transformed a modest building. He created an impressive almost one-hundred-meter-long west facade. Four towers now punctuated the skyline. This transformation dramatically expanded the castle’s size and scale. The elegant facade became the focal point. A kilometer-long avenue of ancient linden trees leads directly to it.
But Schlosspark Kalkum is more than just the castle itself. Countess Maria Anna simultaneously commissioned Maximilian Friedrich Weyhe to design a park in the English landscape style. This stunning landscape complemented Leydel’s architectural masterpiece. Weyhe’s plan transformed a smaller Baroque garden. He integrated existing features. He added new elements like a park pond and riding arena. Between 1807 and 1825 more than 7500 trees and shrubs were planted. The landscape undulates its pathways winding among groves of trees. It offers secluded areas and stunning vistas. A small temple in the style of chinoiserie was erected on a hill created from the pond’s excavation.
Schlosspark Kalkum faced many challenges. Wars ravaged the area resulting in damage and changing uses. It served as a refugee shelter. It housed a training center for home workers. Later it was used as an archive for the North Rhine-Westphalia State Archives until 2014. Even today Schlosspark Kalkum continues to be a hub for cultural events.
The park itself provides a tranquil escape. The Schwarzbach meanders through the grounds. Its waters reflect the castle’s grandeur. This park offers more than just aesthetic appeal. It also incorporates practical spaces. The southern section remains a productive kitchen garden. Remnants of Weyhe’s other creations remain. You can still find traces of a shooting range and an ice cellar. A small pavilion serves as a memorial to Ferdinand Lassalle. This famous lawyer represented Countess Sophie von Hatzfeldt during her protracted and highly publicized divorce.
Schlosspark Kalkum’s history is a testament to resilience. It endured wars renovations and changes in use. It survived neglect and found new purpose. It remains a beautiful and significant site in Dusseldorf. As we conclude our walk let’s appreciate the layers of time embedded in every tree every path and every stone within Schlosspark Kalkum.