Fasanerie Groß-Gerau, Public park in Groß-Gerau, Germany.
Fasanerie Groß-Gerau is a roughly 30-hectare wooded park on the southern edge of Groß-Gerau, in the Dornberg district, bordering the B 44 toward Berkach. It is mainly covered with Central European mixed forest and holds several playgrounds. In its southern part lies the Tiergarten, an animal park that closed in 2022. Opposite the park stands a surviving gateway arch of Schloss Dornberg.
The Fasanerie was laid out between 1722 and 1726 as a private hunting reserve for the dukes of Darmstadt and other Hessian noble families, used for driven hunts such as parforce hunting. Pheasants were kept here, along with red deer and fallow deer introduced for those hunts. Its enclosing wall was built from stones of Schloss Dornberg, destroyed by French troops in 1689 during the War of the Palatine Succession.
The name Fasanerie refers to the pheasants kept here for the hunts of the Darmstadt dukes and other Hessian noble families; red deer and fallow deer were also settled in the park for those drives. The animal enclosure founded in 1958 closed in 2022, and in 2024 its animal-welfare permit was revoked.
The park is easy to walk around, with clear paths through the wooded areas and open meadows. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, especially after rain, when the forest trails can be slippery.
An old pyramid oak tree growing in the park was given protected natural landmark status in 2013, recognized for being over 100 years old. Its unusual shape sets it apart from the other trees in the woodland and makes it easy to spot along the walking trail.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,382 contributors worldwide.