Solingen is a charming city offering a perfect combination of history, culture and beautiful nature. Known as the “City of Blades”, Solingen is world-renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship in the production of high-quality knives, scissors and blades.
One of Solingen’s main attractions is Schloss Burg, a beautiful medieval castle dating back to the 12th century. Inside, there is now a museum presenting the history of blade production in the city. It is also worth visiting the Deutsches Klingenmuseum. This unique museum dedicated to the art of blade production presents a rich collection of knives, swords and other cutting tools from various eras.
If you want to immerse yourself in nature, be sure to visit Gräfrather Wald – a picturesque forest located on the outskirts of Solingen. This peaceful forest offers a network of hiking and cycling trails. The forest is also characterized by the Müngstener Brücke railway bridge, the highest railway bridge in Germany, which spans the Wupper River and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Location
Solingen is located in the western part of Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, south of the Ruhr area. It lies on the edge of the mountainous Bergisches Land region.
Burg Castle
Burg Castle (Germany: Schloss Burg), located in Solingen. Its early history is closely connected to the rise of the Duchy of Berg. The picturesque castle courtyard with keep, battlement and knight’s taproom are worth a visit. The many wood-panelled halls and chambers date back to the 16th century and are fully furnished.
The castle chapel is decorated with frescoes from the Pacher School. Children love visiting the armory chamber. Adults are enthusiastic about the library, the delightful portraits of students from the 16th century, and the courtrooms.
Müngstener Brücke
The Müngsten Bridge is the highest railway bridge in Germany, an impressive structure, a monument of national importance. At 107 meters, the Müngsten Bridge is between Solingen and Remscheid.
The steel bridge is essentially divided into nine sections. In total it is 465 meters long, the rails are installed 107 meters above the water level of the Wupper. Two arched, intermediate and anchor pillars as well as the arch with a central span of 170 meters support the horizontal scaffold bridge and the roadway on top.
Deutsches Klingenmuseum (German Blade Museum)
Solingen The German Blade Museum is the pride of the city of Solingen. It is located in the Solingen-Gräfrath district, not far from the market square. From Stone Age knives to designer cutlery, from samurai swords to nail scissors – the German Blade Museum tells the entire history of blades and cutting.
It also has a rich inventory of historical fencing and pattern books as well as a large number of graphics, works of art and archival materials. A diverse support program brings the world of blades to life. At the same time, the German Blade Museum is the organizer of the KNIFE blade fair. Every year it attracts thousands of blade lovers from all over the world to Solingen.
Obenpilghausen
The Hohlstrasse or Glockenstrasse runs through the stream valley past Obenpilghausen. To this day, the core of the town along Obenpilghausen Street is characterized by a collection of historic half-timbered and slate houses, two of which are listed buildings. The Obenpilghausen 20 building is located in the Obenpilghausen courtyard in Solingen-Höhscheid.
It has been a listed building since March 8, 1985. The elongated, two-story building under a half-hip roof was built in 1739 on a three-part floor plan. The visible framework of the building has a band of St. Andrew’s crosses, the high basement is free-standing on the valley side.
Hendrich’s Drop Forge
The Hendrich Forge displays 33 pile hammers and original scissor-making equipment inside red brick buildings with serrated roofs. The museum demonstrates traditional scissor forging techniques using specialized workers who maintain the artisanal methods developed in Solingen.
Visitors can explore 3,500 square meters of exhibition space through guided tours, educational programs and regular demonstrations. The site maintains operational forging equipment and includes the original 1896 industrial mansion with its conservatory and modern cafe.
Fauna Zoo
In Fauna Zoo you will find numerous species of birds and famous pets, you can also see raccoons, llamas, meerkats, kangaroos, monkeys and many other creatures. Have you ever seen flying foxes up close or watched coatis running around? Then what are you waiting for – wild and exciting experiences await you at Tierpark Fauna. A kiosk with a terrace serves food and drinks.
