Zoo in Velen and Raesfeld

An "animal garden" in the 18th century? That sounds like a zoo – but it wasn't. No cages, no exotic animals, no ice cream on a stick. Instead, it was about one of the nobility's absolute favorite pastimes: hunting.

Deer, roe deer, and wild boar lived here in a natural environment, albeit well-fenced. After all, the prized game shouldn't simply wander off into the open countryside. Order had to be maintained – and this was also reflected in the layout of the game park. In true Baroque style, a network of perfectly straight avenues wound its way through the grounds. This allowed the hunting party to proceed efficiently without getting lost in the undergrowth.

Particularly typical of this period is the so-called hunting star. From a central point, paths radiated outwards in all directions – ideal as a meeting point for hunters, dogs, and the sound of horns. The most famous example is the Great Star in Berlin with the golden Victory statue on top. A "Gold Else" (Golden Else) can be found in... VelenAlthough the Tiergarten (animal park) may be in vain, a real hunting star still exists here. Originally laid out with six arms, it was revived as a four-armed path and sightline during the historical reconstruction.

The avenue known as the "Lange Kieke," which leads past the venerable walls of the old pheasantry, still exudes Baroque garden design. Quite different, but at least as charming, is the wildlife park at Raesfeld Castle: without a star, but with a particularly romantic, expansive natural setting.