Orangerie Castle (Kassel)

The origins of the site date back to 1568, when Landgrave Wilhelm IV had a walled castle garden with a small pleasure palace built. In the early 17th century, Landgrave Moritz redesigned the garden. The current Baroque Orangerieschloss was constructed between 1703 and 1711 under Landgrave Karl, following French models, with court architect Johann Conrad Giesler credited as its designer. The long galleries of the 139.40-meter-long main building served as ballrooms and winter quarters for potted plants, while the three-story corner pavilions were used as a summer residence by the Landgrave's family. The Apollo Hall on the upper floor of the central section was only accessible via the open roof.