All tours in Solingen

Solingen

Steel, Stone, and Stream: The Solingen Blade Trail

3.6 km108 min5 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Uncover the hidden machinery behind the world-famous 'Made in Solingen' brand. This isn't a tour of factories, but a journey through a decentralized industrial landscape that turned an entire city into a workshop. From the slate-clad mansions of the merchant elite to the damp, thundering river valleys where grinders ruined their lungs, you will walk the path of the 'Liewerfrauen'—the delivery women who carried the weight of the industry on their heads. Join us to deconstruct the 'Solingen System,' a story of craftsmanship, radical inequality, and the geological destiny of the Wupper River.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

German Blade Museum (Deutsches Klingenmuseum)

The starting point establishing the global prestige of the Solingen brand.

German Blade Museum (Deutsches Klingenmuseum)

Pic by dronepicr on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.20 km • 3 min
2

STOP 2

Gräfrath Market Square (Marktplatz)

The historic square representing the domain of the merchants and guild masters.

Gräfrath Market Square (Marktplatz)

Pic by DiAuras on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.09 km • 2 min
3

STOP 3

Garnisonstraße / In der Freiheit

A walk through the narrow streets revealing the home-workshops of the assemblers.

Garnisonstraße / In der Freiheit

Pic by SolingenFan95 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.53 km • 9 min
4

STOP 4

Historic Delivery Path (Klingenpfad Section)

The path symbolizing the daily commute of the delivery women.

6.48 km • 108 min
During your walk

Interlude

A deep dive into the 'Putting-Out System' and why Solingen resisted the factory model.

5

END

Wupper River Bank (Near Wipperkotten)

The river bank where the geological necessity of the industry becomes clear.

Wupper River Bank (Near Wipperkotten)

Pic by DiAuras on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

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

Good to know

  • Ideal for Industrial history buffs, hikers, social history enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the human cost of luxury goods.
  • Best time Daytime, preferably on weekends when the Wipperkotten museum might be open. Avoid icy winter days due to the steep forest paths.
  • Footwear Sturdy hiking boots are essential for the forest trail sections.
  • Transport The distance to the final stop is long; use the bus or a taxi as prompted.
  • Museum Entry Check opening times for the Blade Museum if you wish to visit inside before starting.
  • 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

Max Krämer
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Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

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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