PLACES OF INTEREST IN SOLINGEN
Experience the charm of the city of blades
Blades have made Solingen famous across the world. The city has been the centre of the cutting utensils industry for over 600 years. As well as in the large steel works, production in small workshops and family-run businesses still holds its own today. It all started in cottages and forges in the Wupper valley.
Traditional grinding culture on the Wupper river
At the Balkhauser Kotten grinding museum, you can attend grinding and sharpening seminars in the old workshops. The historic Hendrichs Drop Forge provides insights into how scissors were made on the original site. At the German Blade Museum, it’s all about blades, cutting and dining culture.
Industry is still booming in the Bergisch city today. Cutting utensils, cutlery and scissors are still made in factories in the traditional way. “Made in Solingen” stands for innovation, quality and design. See for yourself!
Plagiarism in the centre of Solingen, genuine idyllic Bergisch old town in Gräfrath
Original or fake? This is the question you will be asking at the Plagiarius Museum in Solingen’s Südpark. From there, the Korkenziehertrasse leads straight to Gräfrath with its historic town centre. Here, you can set off on foot or by bike on an exciting journey through history. Discover what the Bergisches Land looked like before industrialisation ran its course. Today, the imposing cloister church still towers above the small slate houses in the old town.
Discover the landmarks of the Bergisches Land
A marvel of engineering has been an impressive sight for over 125 years: the Müngsten Bridge high above the river Wupper. Germany’s highest railway bridge links Solingen with the neighbouring city of Remscheid. Those with a head for heights can venture to a height of 100 metres on the spectacular bridge walkway. Down in the Brückenpark Müngsten, you can cross the river on the transporter bridge. From there it’s on to Schloss Burg and straight into to the Middle Ages. The castle is an impressive stone structure with battlements, keep, knights’ hall and weapons collection. You should definitely enjoy a Bergische Kaffeetafel (coffee and snacks) with a view while you are there.
Discover Solingen your way
Discover more sights in and around Solingen by “Stangentaxi”, as the trolley buses are known locally. Or walk along the Klingenpfad around the city. If you prefer pedal power, you can cycle along the Bergisch Panorama Cycle Trail or any of the many other pleasant cycle routes. Nature is everywhere here and in abundance. The Wupper mountains to the east and south and Ohligser Heide in the west – you will always find yourself right in the middle of it all.
