All tours in Hagen

Hagen

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

7.9 km199 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

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.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Hagen Hauptbahnhof (Stained Glass Window)

The industrial gateway featuring Johan Thorn Prikker's monumental stained glass window, symbolizing the Hagener Impuls.

Hagen Hauptbahnhof (Stained Glass Window)

Pic by Bärwinkel,Klaus on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

1.34 km • 21 min
2

STOP 2

Osthaus Museum Hagen

Originally the Museum Folkwang, featuring an interior designed by Henry van de Velde, marking the institutional birth of the movement.

Osthaus Museum Hagen

Pic by Keichwa on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 1.0)

3.56 km • 55 min
During your walk

Interlude

A deep dive into the paradox of art and industry, exploring the philosophical stakes of the Hagener Impuls.

3

STOP 3

Eduard-Müller-Krematorium

Designed by Peter Behrens, this stark, geometric crematorium reflects the progressive, secular mindset of Osthaus's circle.

Eduard-Müller-Krematorium

Pic by N/A on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

2.38 km • 37 min
During your walk

Interlude

An exploration of the mathematical proportion systems that formed the hidden DNA of the movement's designs.

4

STOP 4

Hohenhof

Henry van de Velde's masterpiece, designed as a 'Gesamtkunstwerk' (total work of art) for Karl Ernst Osthaus.

Hohenhof

Pic by Rainer Halama on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

0.42 km • 6 min
5

STOP 5

Haus Thorn-Prikker

Designed by Lauweriks for artist Johan Thorn Prikker, illustrating the utopian artist colony concept.

Haus Thorn-Prikker

Pic by Rainer Halama on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

0.02 km • 0 min
6

STOP 6

Milieu-Bebauung Stirnband

A row of houses by Lauweriks demonstrating the shift to systematic, modern housing design.

Milieu-Bebauung Stirnband

Pic by Smial on Wikimedia Commons (FAL)

0.16 km • 3 min
7

END

Haus Cuno

Designed by Peter Behrens for Mayor Willi Cuno, highlighting the political backing of the Hagener Impuls.

Haus Cuno

Pic by Smial on Wikimedia Commons (FAL)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Architecture enthusiasts, design lovers, history buffs, and urban explorers fascinated by the intersection of industry and art.
  • Best time Daytime, particularly mornings when the sunlight illuminates the stained glass and architectural details.
  • What to bring Comfortable walking shoes and a camera for architectural details.
  • Weather An umbrella is handy, as Hagen weather can be unpredictable.
  • Pacing Take your time at the Hohenhof to truly absorb the Gesamtkunstwerk.
  • Accessibility Some historical sites may have limited wheelchair access, plan accordingly.
  • Mindset Look past the modern city to imagine the industrial smog of 1900.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Clara Vogt
Audio sample
0:000:00

Clara Vogt

  • Art, Design & Aesthetics
  • Portugal

Art and design lover. Discovers beauty in the everyday and connects street art, fashion, and architecture.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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