The UNESCO site officially known as “Muskauer Park / Park Mużakowski” in the small town of Bad Muskau is considered one of the most beautiful landscape parks in continental Europe and an exceptional example of 19th-century English-style landscape design. Its creator, the famous landscape architect Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau (Prince Pückler), was inspired by the idyllic rolling landscape in this part of Saxony. Between 1815 and 1845 he created a fascinating garden paradise, which could be described as an ocean of different shades of green captivating garden lovers to this day. The special feature of the 830-hectare site is that it is divided by the Neisse River; one part of the park is in Germany, the other in Poland. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004 – and here are our tip tips for your visit!
Muskau Park in Bad Muskau
Landscape-design of exceptional beauty
„Anyone who has seen Muskau has looked into my heart.”
Our suggestions for visiting Muskau Park
Karpfenbrücke: The cast-iron “carp bridge” crosses the water where the artificial waterway Hermannsneiße flows into Lake Lucie and provides great views of the New Castle.
The New Palace is hard to miss, and visitors can enjoy many surprising perspectives of the impressive Baroque building with ornamentation in the Neo-Renaissance style when exploring the park. After its destruction in World War II, it now shines again in all its splendour.
Narrow paths along the shore of the Eichsee lake in the north of the park lead you to romantic spots as perfect places for a short break in your explorations. There is even a small waterfall!
Kitchen Garden and Castle Nursery: Pineapples from Saxony? Yes, that’s a thing! Just like in Prince Pückler's day, the exotic fruits grow in the castle’s nursery consisting of several greenhouses and a kitchen garden.
The viewing platform in the south-western castle tower offers a panoramic view of the vast park landscape and its surroundings from a height of 35 metres.
For yet another great view, head to the “Pückler Stone”, which was erected in honour of the park's creator in an exposed position high above the Neisse River. From here, one of the most beautiful views in the park opens up.
Hungry? Try the special ice cream flavour named after Fürst Pückler in the castle café, or how about some yummy cakes…
Special tip: Prince Pückler exhibition
The New Palace houses a permanent exhibition on Prince Pückler providing fascinating insights into this colourful character. Hermann Fürst von Pückler-Muskau was a writer, traveller and above all a landscape gardener but he was also known as a ladies' man and bon vivant. The multimedia exhibition showcases the different sides of the Prince, merging them together in an entertaining way to form a picture of a dazzling personality. Definitely recommended!
Facts and figures about Muskau Park
Number of bridges in the park
Size of the park in hectare
Number of countries spanned by the park: Germany and Poland
3 ways to explore Muskau Park
Carriage ride: Prince Pückler recommended that his guests explore the park by carriage. And who are we to disagree with the man himself: Carriage rides start at the palace forecourt – get on board and enjoy!
By bike: with a few exceptions, cycling is allowed in the park and bike hire is possible on site!
By boat: While Hermannsneiße, Prince Pückler's artificial waterway, is not suitable for boat trips, you can get into a rubber dinghy at the old weir not far from the orangery and then enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour tour on the Neisse ending at the Polish village of Żarki Wielkie, where guests are picked up by bus.
„A park must be like a gallery of paintings, every few steps you should see a new picture.”