Solingen is the city of blades, the city of the largest, but alas, restored castle in Germany and, finally, a city of amazingly beautiful nature, which you can enjoy in full measure during a walk along the legendary Klink Trail ... And now everything in order .
"The City of Blades" Solingen was nicknamed because of the old tradition of producing high-quality knives and blades here, which, I must say, has been preserved to this day. So long to think about souvenirs in Solingen will not have to: cool knives will be the best gift to loved ones (do not forget to remove the dangerous "souvenir" in the luggage during the flight, or else there is a great chance that he will remain on the land of his ancestors).
Second the point thanks to which the city is known all over Germany and the first reason for which a lot of tourists are coming here is the amazing Burg Castle (or Schlossburg) with a rich but tragic history . And, finally, the Blade Trail, whose romantic name is more than justified during the walk . This is perhaps the most picturesque the marked route that passes through the famous Mountainous Land of Germany (@ Bergisches Land) . Here the forests are replaced by mountains, the rivers are valleys, and numerous historical and architectural monuments are so pleasant to alternate with the traditional pubs and bars of the North Rhine-Westphalia .
How to get there
By public transport to Solingen it is most convenient to get from Düsseldorf by train. Deutsche Bahn will take you to Wuppertal-Vohwinkel or Solingen Bahnhof Mitte stations, where you will need to change to bus 683. The first option is to take the bus for longer, but fewer people have a chance to see the famous Wuppertal hanging road. The second option is that the bus route is shorter, but most likely it will be necessary to stand side by side with a crowd of tourists who are going to see the Burg of Burgundy.
Search for tickets to the city of Düsseldorf (the nearest airport to Solingen)
The paragraph of history
The first mention of the city dates back to 1067 and it concerned, of course, local blades. Already at that distant time, the talented blacksmiths of Solingen were famous for the whole Europe.
Schlossburg appeared in the city at the beginning of the 12th century, when Earl Adolf II Berg decided to erect a castle over the Wupper River, which he called "New mountain". A little later, the first owner of Burg was killed by his own nephew and the fortress began to pass from hand to hand until in the 15th century after reconstruction it turned into a hunting castle and acquired its modern name.
During the Thirty Years War in 1632, the Swedes besieged the castle and in 1648 Schlossburg was destroyed. Partly restored the unfortunate Burg in 1700, then destroyed again, sold, rebuilt (1890-1914), and then in 1920 the castle burned down. The unfortunate fate of Schlossburg ended in 1925, when it was finally reconstructed, focusing on the drawings and paintings of the 18th century. Today Schlossburg looks around 1715.
Book popular hotels in Solingen at the best prices
| Hotel Gräfrather Hof from 4 480 rub Solingen In der Freiheit 48 | ||
| Treff Hotel Solingen City Center from 3 722 rubles Solingen Kronprinzenstrasse 1 | Kempe Komfort plus Hotel from 3 584 rubles Solingen Caspersbroicher Weg 3 | Hotel Solinger Hof from 4 687 rubles Solingen Goerdelerstraße 9 |
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Solingen
Of course, the local castle is a number one sight and about her will be azano in more detail below, but do not forget about Solingen fame as "the city of blades". You can find out more about the history of making blades, knives and swords in the Museum of Blades, which features a rich collection of piercing and cutting objects of all time, starting as early as the Bronze Age.
Another interesting landmark of the city is the Müngsten Nature Park. He fancifully settled around the city on the hills, "capturing" in itself and the picturesque river Wupper. Its interesting feature is a view of the railway, laid at an altitude of 107 m on a hill. You can get to this place from the railway station Solingen Schaberg through the forest. The Iron Bridge was built more than 100 years ago, and trains continue to run on it.
Burg
Schlossburg - the castle is cozy and homely, the phrase "stone giant" - not about him. Inside the castle there is a nice museum where you can learn the history of the Berg family, look at the ancient knight's weapons and get to know the life of the peasants and artisans living in Solingen at different times. What should I pay attention to: a reconstructed antique pharmacy, a collection of miniature porcelain dishes (cups and plates 1-2 cm in diameter), a chapel where marriages are held today.
The most popular halls in Schlossburg are, of course, the Knight's Hall, the Fireplace Room and Family hall. In the courtyard you can look in the museum, which is in the 18-meter Siege Tower, as well as watch the instruments of torture, guns and monuments to the owners of Burg.
The castle is 10-15 minutes walk from the city center, but you can get there not only on your own two, but by car ( on weekends with heavy parking), bus or Seilbahn cable car, which is located at the foot of the mountain in the town of Unterburg
The castle is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Monday from 13:00 to 18:00. From 7 January to 29 February and from 3 November to 22 December Tue-Fri from 10:00 to 16:00, weekends from 10:00 to 17:00, Monday - the day off. The cost of the visit is 5 EUR, children 2, 5 EUR.
Blade Trail
On the Blade Trail, as a rule, start in a clockwise way, the beginning of the route in Grefrat, the highest point of Solingen. After that, the Trail descends down to the valley of the River Wupper and passes by the pretty village of Collworth with the lovely Museum of trams, goes further under the highest in Germany railway bridge Müngsten to Schlossburg
Further the path is picturesquely laid to the dividing waters of Remscheid and through the Eshbachtal valley goes to the mountain Pfaffenberg. During the walk, the Trail will often take you to the old workshops for the manufacture of cold weapons, water mills and pastoral farmsteads in the style of half-timbered houses. Other must-see Blade trails are Hackhausen Castle and Olig Wasteland with Kasperbroich Castle.