World Heritage Identification Number: 1127
World Heritage since: 2004
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: Yes
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: Germany, Poland
Continent: NA
UNESCO World Region: Europe and North America
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Muskauer Park / Park Mużakowski: A Landscape Painting in Central Europe
Muskauer Park, also known as Park Mużakowski, is a remarkable example of English garden design in Central Europe. Situated in the Upper Lusatia region, straddling the Neisse River and the border between Poland and Germany, this 559.9-hectare landscaped park was created by Prince Hermann von Puckler-Muskau from 1815 to 1844. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, Muskauer Park is celebrated for its innovative approach to landscape architecture, influencing the development of this art form in Europe and America.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
A landscaped park of 559.9 ha astride the Neisse River and the border between Poland and Germany, it was created by Prince Hermann von Puckler-Muskau from 1815 to 1844. Blending seamlessly with the surrounding farmed landscape, the park pioneered new approaches to landscape design and influenced the development of landscape architecture in Europe and America. Designed as a ‘painting with plants’, it did not seek to evoke classical landscapes, paradise, or some lost perfection, instead using local plants to enhance the inherent qualities of the existing landscape. This integrated landscape extends into the town of Muskau with green passages that formed urban parks framing areas for development. The town thus became a design component in a utopian landscape. The site also features a reconstructed castle, bridges and an arboretum.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (i): Muskauer Park is an exceptional example of a European landscape park that broke new ground in terms of development towards an ideal made-made landscape.
Criterion (iv): Muskauer Park was the forerunner for new approaches to landscape design in cities, and influenced the development of ‘landscape architecture’ as a discipline.
Encyclopedia Record: Muskau Park
Muskau Park is a landscape park in the Upper Lusatia region of Germany and Poland. It is the largest and one of the most famous English gardens in Central Europe, stretching along both sides of the German–Polish border on the Lusatian Neisse. The park was laid out from 1815 onwards at the behest of Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau (1785–1871), centered on his Schloss Muskau residence.Additional Site Details
Area: 352.14 hectares
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 51.547653 , 14.729389
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© Hedwig Storch, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)