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Hagen: Where industrial grit meets artistic innovation and nature's embrace, forging a unique urban tapestry in the heart of Westphalia.

Four Self-Guided Audio Tours to rediscover Hagen

A first taste of the best stories the city has to offer. Many more tours are waiting for you.

The Utopian Forge: Forging the Avant-Garde in Industrial Hagen – Hagen Audio-Tour
Tour 01
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Pic by Bärwinkel,Klaus on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Utopian Forge: Forging the Avant-Garde in Industrial Hagen

Step into the soot-stained streets of early 20th-century Hagen, where a radical experiment forever changed the world of design. Join Clara, a grounded design enthusiast, and Jonas, a passionate architectural historian, as they uncover the 'Hagener Impuls'—a visionary movement led by Karl Ernst Osthaus that brought utopian aesthetics to a gritty industrial powerhouse. Discover how this unlikely city birthed the total work of art and laid the very foundation for the Bauhaus.

7 Stops
199 Min
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Neon & Concrete: The Hagen Sound Revolution – Hagen Audio-Tour
Tour 02

Neon & Concrete: The Hagen Sound Revolution

In the late 1970s, the gray, post-industrial city of Hagen became the unlikely epicenter of a musical earthquake. This tour takes you deep into the heart of the 'Hagener Szene', where the raw energy of punk collided with the neon aesthetics of the Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW). Walk the streets where Nena's band first found their voice before their guitarist Carlo Karges dreamed up 99 red balloons in West Berlin, where Extrabreit penned ironic anthems of rebellion, and where grand, decaying villas became the incubators for a generation's creative explosion. Discover how a working-class steel town accidentally birthed the most colorful pop revolution of the 80s.

6 Stops
113 Min
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Veins of Steel and Water: The Topography of Hagen – Hagen Audio-Tour
Tour 03
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Pic by Phil Richards on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Veins of Steel and Water: The Topography of Hagen

Discover how the dramatic, unyielding topography of the Sauerland mountains forged an industrial powerhouse. On this immersive walking tour, you will trace the paths of Hagen's four rivers, uncovering how steep valleys and fast-flowing water dictated everything from medieval blade-smithing to massive railway networks. We will explore the environmental cost of this industrial boom and witness the modern ecological rebirth of a city that is finally making peace with its geography.

4 Stops
91 Min
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The Iron River's Return: Hagen's Ecological Awakening – Hagen Audio-Tour
Tour 04
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Image by Meister on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Iron River's Return: Hagen's Ecological Awakening

Discover the miraculous resurrection of the Volme River. Once a toxic industrial sewer devoid of life, this waterway is now the frontline of an epic ecological comeback. Join your guides as they trace the river's journey from a concrete-lined casualty of the metal and paper industries to a thriving, renatured habitat welcoming back the Atlantic salmon. This is a story of grassroots rebellion, cutting-edge engineering, and nature's stubborn will to survive.

3 Stops
38 Min
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Discover Hagen – Stories Worth Hearing

Red Thread is an iOS and Android app with over 1,500 guided audio tours through cities worldwide - including in Hagen.

Hagen, often called the "Gateway to the Sauerland," is a city shaped by its powerful rivers—Ruhr, Lenne, Volme—and a rich industrial past that sparked an extraordinary cultural awakening. Few know that this industrial hub was once home to the groundbreaking Folkwang Museum, founded by Karl Ernst Osthaus, which pioneered modern art and design in Germany, making Hagen a crucible for avant-garde thought.

From the innovative architecture fostered by Osthaus's vision to the ongoing ecological revival of its waterways, Hagen continuously reinvents itself. Our audio tours guide you through these layers, from the 'utopian forge' of its art history at the Osthaus Museum to the 'iron rivers' now flowing cleaner than ever, allowing you to truly feel the city's pulse.

Hagen Highlights
  • Discover avant-garde art at the Osthaus Museum.
  • Hike through the stunning Volme Valley landscapes.
  • Uncover industrial history along the Lenne river.
  • Experience Hagen's vibrant local culture and green spaces.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hagen

General questions about the app, pricing and features are answered in our full FAQ on the main page.

What's the best way to experience Hagen's art and industrial heritage?
Our "Die utopische Schmiede" tour takes nearly 3.5 hours, guiding you through the city's avant-garde past, including key sites around the Osthaus Museum. You can pair this with "Adern aus Stahl und Wasser" to see the industrial impact.
How much time should I allocate for a short visit to Hagen's natural side?
The "Die Rückkehr des eisernen Flusses" tour is a concise 38-minute journey, perfect for a quick immersion into Hagen's ecological transformation along its rivers. It's a great way to explore the revitalized riverbanks.
Are the tours suitable for exploring Hagen's modern cultural scene?
Absolutely! "Neon & Beton: Die Hagen-Sound-Revolution" (approx. 2 hours) delves into the city's contemporary vibe, connecting its urban landscape with its evolving cultural heartbeat.
Can I create my own tours in Hagen?
Yes, with the XL or Unlimited subscription you can use our AI-powered tour creator to build your own personalized tour in Hagen on a topic of your choice. All Infos here
Can I use the Hagen tours offline?
Yes, with an XL or Unlimited subscription you can download tours for offline use.
Can I do Hagen tours together with friends?
Yes – with Together Mode (from XL plan) the whole group listens in sync on their own devices. Up to 4 people on XL, up to 10 on Unlimited.
In which other cities does Red Thread offer tours?
Further tours are available in nearby cities like Dortmund, Bochum, Wuppertal, or international destinations like Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Barcelona and many more. All cities can be found here.
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