23-01-17 | Being among the largest squares in Germany, Kassel‘s heart of town is at the same time its cultural hub. Friedrichsplatz Square extends from shopping street Königsstraße to the steep slope above Karlsaue. Although surrounded by buildings, Friedrichsplatz still allows for a glimpse towards OrangeryPalace and the open park landscape.

The square owes its name to the city centre‘s architectural designer, Landgrave Friedrich II of Hesse (reg. 1760-1785), who also created Fridericianum together with his master builder Simon Louis du Ry.
His statue made from Italian Carrara Marble honours this designer of Kassel’s new face. Fridericianum, the first museum open to the public, marks the head end of the square.In earlier days, Rotes Palais, the residential palace of Wilhelm II., was located here. It´s portico made from red sandstone can still be seen. Today, it is hosting bright ceramic figures looking down onto the square: Thomas Schütte’s documenta Sculpture entitled “Die Fremden“. Right beside and towards Königsstraße, “Weißes Palais“ was formerly located.

In 1921, it became Kassel’s urban gallery, hosting art work by M. Liebermann, L. Corinth, K. Kollwitz and other known artists. The square was created by Friedrich II. and Simon Louis du Ry in 1768. After 1763, Königssplatz and Friedrichsplatz were to connect Kassel’s new town with its old town centre. Fortified towers and town walls were razed, giving Kassel a new face.Kassel History was made on this very square. Here, King of Westphalia Jérôme Bonaparte used to meet from 1807 to 1813 in Kassel’s first state parliament in Fridericianum. The Grimm Brothers used to work in its local library. During German Empire and National Socialism, the square was used for deployments and military parades. In 1933, literary work by Jewish and socialist authors was burned here. Upon its destruction in WWII, Friedrichsplatz became the city centre’s cultural flagship with 1955‘s first documenta.

Its acclaimed state theatre, Natural History Museum “Ottoneum“ and documenta Hall are cultural facilities of great importance located near the square. Friedrichsplatz is at the same time an outdoor museum. Various art objects of numerous documenta Events can be admired throughout the square. Two trees with one basaltic stele, respectively, still serve as reminders of one of the most notable projects for Kassel’s documenta by Joseph Beuys “7000 Oaks – City Forestation Instead of City Administration“. Fuldaaue is hosting “Rahmenbau“, an artwork for documenta 6. Looking right through these frames, viewers direct their gazes towards Orangery Palace.