The Wörlitzer Park, also known as the Wörlitz Gardens or Wörlitzer Anlage, is a renowned landscape garden located in Wörlitz, a town in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It forms the core of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Spanning approximately 1,400 hectares, the park is celebrated as the earliest and most influential English landscape garden on the European continent, embodying Enlightenment ideals of nature, art, and philosophy.
The creation of Wörlitzer Park began in 1764 under the patronage of Leopold III, Duke of Anhalt-Dessau (1740–1817), who ruled the Principality of Anhalt-Dessau. Inspired by his grand tour of Europe in the 1760s, particularly visits to England and Italy, Leopold sought to transform the marshy landscape along the Elbe River into a harmonious blend of natural beauty and neoclassical architecture. The park's development started in 1765 with the damming of the Mulde River to form the artificial Wörlitz Lake, which became a central feature.
Leopold collaborated with architects like Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff and landscape designers such as Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell, drawing from English garden principles popularized by figures like Capability Brown. The park symbolized Leopold's vision of an enlightened absolutism, promoting education, tolerance, and aesthetic harmony. Construction continued until Leopold's death in 1817, with expansions under his successors. By the early 19th century, the park included over 20 architectural follies, temples, and monuments.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, the park faced challenges from wars and neglect but was restored post-World War II. In 1990, following German reunification, preservation efforts intensified, leading to its UNESCO status. Recent archaeological work in July 2025 uncovered a second artificial volcano in the park, a previously undocumented structure from the 18th century, highlighting ongoing discoveries about its historical layers.
Wörlitzer Park is designed as a picturesque landscape with winding paths, lakes, islands, and neoclassical buildings integrated seamlessly into the terrain. Central to the park is Wörlitz Castle (Schloss Wörlitz), constructed between 1769 and 1773 as the first neoclassical country house in continental Europe. The castle's interior features original 18th-century furnishings, including collections of art, porcelain, and natural history specimens, reflecting Leopold's global interests.
The Wörlitz Lake hosts several islands, including the Island of the Muses with its Gothic House, a romantic ruin inspired by medieval aesthetics. A highlight is the artificial volcano on an island in the lake, built in 1789 to mimic Mount Vesuvius, complete with a brick core, boulder exterior, and simulated eruptions using fireplaces and water effects. The newly discovered second volcano, found in 2025, suggests even more experimental features from Leopold's era.
Other notable structures include the Temple of Venus (1774), a rotunda honoring love and beauty; the Temple of Hercules Victor, modeled after a Roman temple; and the Marble Palace (Viktoria de Domus), a pavilion with Egyptian motifs. The park also features the Wörlitz Synagogue (1790), one of the few purpose-built synagogues in Germany from that period, now housing an exhibition on Jewish history in Anhalt. Religious sites include the neo-Gothic St. Peter's Church (rebuilt 1804–1809) with its 66-meter Bibelturm offering panoramic views.
The landscape incorporates diverse flora, canals, bridges, and monuments like the Obelisk of Tolerance, symbolizing religious freedom. Boat tours on the lake provide access to remote areas, and the park's biodiversity supports a rich ecosystem within the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve.
Wörlitzer Park was a center for the German Enlightenment, influenced by thinkers like Immanuel Kant and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Leopold's friendship with philosopher Moses Mendelssohn is commemorated in park elements promoting tolerance. The park served as a model for landscape design across Europe, blending art, nature, and moral philosophy to create an "oasis for the senses."
Today, Wörlitzer Park attracts visitors for guided tours, boat rides, and seasonal events. Access is via the town of Wörlitz, with entry fees supporting maintenance by the Dessau-Wörlitz Foundation. The park remains well-preserved, with paths totaling over 30 kilometers for walking and cycling.
Sources consulted: Wikipedia: Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, Official Garden Realm Website, MDR News on Second Volcano Discovery (2025), Tripadvisor Reviews.