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Muskauer Park / Park Muzakowski

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Germany
Poland
Date of Inscription: 2004
Criteria: (i)(iv)
Core zone: 348 ha
Buffer zone: 1204.650024 ha
N51 34 45.5 E14 43 35.2
Ref: 1127

Brief Description

A landscaped park of 559.9 ha astride the Neisse River and the border between Poland and Germany, it was created by Prince Hermann von Puckler-Muskau from 1815 to 1844. Blending seamlessly with the surrounding farmed landscape, the park pioneered new approaches to landscape design and influenced the development of landscape architecture in Europe and America. Designed as a ‘painting with plants’, it did not seek to evoke classical landscapes, paradise, or some lost perfection, instead using local plants to enhance the inherent qualities of the existing landscape. This integrated landscape extends into the town of Muskau with green passages that formed urban parks framing areas for development. The town thus became a design component in a utopian landscape. The site also features a reconstructed castle, bridges and an arboretum.

Statement of Significance

The World Heritage Committee inscribed Muskauer Park/Park Muzakowski, Germany/Poland, on the World Heritage List as cultural landscape on the basis criteria (i) and (iv):

Criterion (i): Muskauer Park is an exceptional example of a European landscape park that broke new ground in terms of development towards an ideal human-made landscape.

Criterion (iv): Muskauer Park was the forerunner for new approaches to landscape design in cities, and influenced the development of ‘landscape architecture' as a discipline.