Apart from the IGA in Rostock, Germany's big cities also offer plenty of possibilities for enjoying nature in their many parks and other recreational facilities. In Hamburg, there is the Jenisch Park near the Elbe river, for instance, a nature reserve in the heart of the city. The wealthy Hamburg merchant Jenisch built a neo-classical villa here, surrounded by a park which he modelled on English gardens. Meanwhile Hannover, the state capital of Lower Saxony is known for its industry and its trade fairs, but it too has another, less busy side.
You'll find the "Herrenhouser Gorten" (Herrenhaus Gardens) here, for instance. By day, these parks surrounding the former summer home of Hannover's ruling dynasty attract people who want to enjoy the flowers or simply to relax; while on summer evenings, classical concerts are held in these charming surroundings, transporting visitors back to the bygone splendour of the gardens. The largest work of art in Kassel, the town that hosts the documenta, is the Bergpark (Mountain Park). In the 17th century, the Hessian landgraves created an open-air museum above the town, helped by Mother Nature, containing some unrivalled exhibits. But this tranquil, green oasis is also a source of enormous creative energy. No wonder, because the Mountain Park contains innumerable things worth painting. Michael Evers's school of organic design uses the Mountain Park as an open-air studio, instructing students in how to use paints and a brush. Its painting and drawing courses initiate you into the great art, providing both practical exercises and the necessary theoretical background.
