Hauptbahnhof

The Hauptbahnhof was Kassel's main central station, until all long-distance trains were relocated to the newly built Bahnhof Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe in 1991. Today it is only a local commuter station, and large parts stand empty or are used for new purposes.

The Bahnhof was built between 1851 and 1856 following sketches of Gottlob Engelhard in the style of Romantic Classicism. At the beginning of the 20th century the station was extended, but mostly destroyed again through bombing during WWII. It was reconstructed between 1952 and 1960 under architect Friedrich Bätcher in the style of 1950s, with restoration and integration of some of the old features. In 1953 it was connected to the city center via the newly constructed pedestrian zone, the "Treppenstrasse".

In 1995 the disused railway station was turned into a cultural venue and became known as the KulturBahnhof. It includes the BALi cinemas, Caricatura, a gallery for comic art, the restaurant and club Gleis 1, the gallery Stellwerk, the KAZ (Kassel Architecture Centre) and the Offener Kanal Kassel (an interactive radio station). In 1997 and 2002 the KulturBahnhof was used as a venue for documenta X and 11.