Wilhelmsbader Karussell
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| Watch the on-ride POV |
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| The ride in 2016, shortly after its refurbishment. 2016 would mark the first time the carousel was operational in 74 years. | |||||||||
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| Manufactured | 1780 | ||||||||
| Designer / calculations | Franz Ludwig von Cancrin | ||||||||
| Type | |||||||||
| Capacity | Four chariots with two horses each, two individual spring-mounted horses | ||||||||
Wilhelmsbader Karussell is a Carousel located at the Hanau-Wilhelmbad State Park in Hanau, Germany. Opened in 1780, it is the oldest standing carousel in the world, known for its rich historical presence and location.
History
The carousel was initially completed in 1780 as a plaything for the hereditary Prince Wilhelm IX, with the ride's construction helped by Hessian soldiers from England.[1]
Originally built with two chariots and horses and two individual riding horses, in 1882, it was rebuilt with the current configuration it has today.
1932 was the last time the carousel was ever operated for many years, as it became Standing but not operating. The roof and foundations holding up the carousel were grinding against the ring that moved the base around, so it could not operate.
A new restoration project began in 2007. After enclosing the structure for weather protection and closing the area off, refurbishments began on 9 March 2010.[2]
Eventually, the refurbishment was completed in 2016, with the work costing 4.1 million euros.[3][4]
Design
The carousel itself was built and designed by architect and engineer Franz Ludwig Cancrin, who was originally a miner. The mechanism to operate the carousel is hidden under an artificial hill, and functions sort of like a mill, with spokes outwards that move the horses up and down.[5]
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Above the mill, the building floor has 3 levels. One that is connected to 12 pillars and columns from within the underground section, another that serves as main floor of the carousel, and another that serves as the only part that moves, a stationary, circular inner platform of 14 inches.
The horses and chariots are connected to the bands of the floors, with the roof suspending the floors from the ground.[6]
References
- ↑ carousels.org https://carousels.org/psp/Hanau/. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Der Verein - Wir über uns und unseren gemeinsamen Traum". www.karussell-wilhelmsbad.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2025-01-16.
- ↑ "Karussell Im Staatspark Hanau-Wilhelmsbad". Studio Baukultur.
- ↑ "Wilhelmsbader Karussell dreht sich wieder". 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
- ↑ carousels.org https://carousels.org/psp/Hanau/. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ carousels.org https://carousels.org/psp/Hanau/. Retrieved 2025-01-16.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)