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It is above all a bathhouse that was never actually used for bathing: the landgraves used this building in Karlsaue park on festive occasions to emphasise their sovereign power. The late Baroque bathhouse was created between 1722 and 1728. Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel commissioned the Roman sculptor Pierre Etienne Monnot with its design and interior furnishing. The eye is overwhelmed by life-sized marble sculptures, reliefs showing images of myths in classical antiquity, portraits of the landgrave and his wife and colourful wallcoverings. The marble bathhouse was designed to impress its visitors – and it continues to do so to this day, even though no feasts have been held here for a long time since. It is one of the most significant early 18th century Roman secular sculpture ensembles north of the Alps. Germany´s last surviving late Baroque bathhouse is located in Karlsaue park, in a side pavilion to the west of the Orangery.
Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, had the pavilion constructed from 1722 to 1728. In contrast to what its name suggests, it did not serve as a bathhouse but was used on festive occasions and for prestigious functions.
The Roman sculptor Pierre Etienne Monnot (1657–1733) created a sumptuous interior with life-sized marble sculptures, wall reliefs with a myriad of details and colourful wallcoverings. They make the marble bathhouse one of the most significant early 18th century Roman secular sculpture ensembles north of the Alps.