Der Schlosspark - Manor House Parc
The exotic trees of Bad Kreuznach Ginkgo tree, bald cypress, paper mulberry in the castle park
If you turn off the bustling pedestrian zone of the historic new town into the so-called Zwingel, you will come to a large section of the old wall that once separated the castle from the town. Pass through an opening in the wall and you will find yourself in another world. Just a moment ago you were in the hustle and bustle of narrow streets, now you are immersed in a green park landscape bordered by the Kauzenberg. A path winds its way through old trees to the castle. In spring, a dense carpet of white and light to dark red corydalis covers the forest floor. It almost feels as if we are entering an enchanted forest.
Amalie von Dessau-Anhalt, Andreas von Recum, and the Puricelli industrialist family owned the Bangert manor (first mentioned in 1326) from 1776 until the end of the 19th century. They designed the grounds inspired by the romantic horticultural philosophy of English parks.
The castle park has retained the character of the tree garden to this day. Thirteen trees date back to the 19th century – the oldest is a red oak from 1840 with a height of 20 meters and a crown diameter of 18 meters. Rarities and exotic species, magnificent specimens, old, thick, and tall trees can be found here in large numbers; there are 365 such trees. Nothing has changed garden culture as much as the plants from distant lands, which we owe to the enterprising explorers of past centuries, such as Alexander von Humboldt. They also found their way into the castle park. 1889 is the year in which the oldest municipal ginkgo trees were planted, which are located by the castle pond. Botanical immigrants also include the trumpet tree planted in 1889, whose impressive crown diameter of 18 meters is surpassed only by the Caucasian wingnut with 19 meters. A swamp cypress planted in 1865, which stands on the shore of the pond, forms its so-called breathing knee. These are knee-shaped hollow growths that protrude upwards, i.e., into the air, from the otherwise flat root system. This allows the tree to survive even in high soil moisture or waterlogged conditions. At 30 meters tall, it is both the tallest and thickest tree in the palace park – with an enormous trunk circumference of 4.71 meters! Other fascinating exotic species include the environmental sequoia, the sequoia, the Japanese pagoda tree, and the picturesque tulip magnolia. On the other side of the pond, a shady chestnut avenue invites you to linger, let your gaze wander over an enchanted island in the pond where ducks frolic, and simply let your thoughts run free.
Since around 1900, the park has been adjoined by an agricultural estate. One farm continues this tradition, while the other buildings have been converted into museums, restaurants, and an artist's studio.
