Friedrichsplatz

Friedrichsplatz is one of the largest inner-city squares in Germany and a central site of the documenta. Landgrave Frederick II commissioned his master builder Simon Louis du Ry to create a link between the Old Town and the French Upper New Town on the old fortification ring that was no longer needed.

The marble statue of Landgrave Frederick II (regent from 1760 - 1785) stands in the square opposite the Fridericianum Museum. Johann August and Samuel Nahl created it in 1781 - 1783. The monument to the ruler, donated by the Hessian estates, is one of the most important of the century.

At the edge of the square stands a series of important buildings. Dominating the square is the Fridericianum, the first purely classicist building in Germany and one of the first museums in Europe. 

A three-dimensional bronze model of old Kassel on the long side of the square is also worth seeing. The model is dedicated to Hermine Ziegelroth-Maertens, whose generous donation made its realisation possible. "The bronze model bears witness to the former splendour of the cityscape that has grown over 1000 years;