MUSEUM - GALLERY
The city of Solingen is situated in the green and hilly landscape "Bergisches
Land" eastern of
the river Rhine, between Cologne, Dusseldorf and Wuppertal. This area has
got its name from
the Earls of Berg who ruled the country in former times.
The Wipperkotten in the Bergisch Land was built as a grindery in about 1605
and it is the last existing twin building of formerly 26 grinding sheds at
the lower river Wupper.
It was private initiative which brought this grindery plant with its water
weir under historical
protection in 1955. Like in former times, two undershot waterwheels are spinning
between
both of these historical buildings. The land bound house is still used as
grindery.
On a small island in the
Wupper there is our water side house. Its waterwheel was rebuilt in
1964. With its 32 wooden blades it accomplishes on to 42 BHP. ( 4,20 m)
The shown handmade tools and utensils from Bergisch grinderies are cultural
documents of
the blade manufacturing . This was supported by the finding and extraction
of ore
(10. to 12. century) in this area.
Our museum collection is completed by stone age scrapers, blades and arrowheads
found
by the grinder Fritz Voos in 1970 and curios peculiarities of the local history.
At our art gallery we organise cultural events like exhibitions, sessions or lectures.
Kaffee im Kotten is our
small café where you can have coffee, tea, cakes or soups if you
are with a group of 6 to 22 persons. Everyday on appointment also in connection
with a tour.
At the shop you will find
arts and crafts made of wood, glass, pottery or stainless steel by
various artists, designs from HAKARO as well as the famous Bergisch Kottenkorn,
a typical schnaps.
The room where the grinders
sharpened large blades and swords on the "big stone" is still
called Steinhaus and it is used for work shops, conferences and meetings framed
by several historical items and with an excellent view on the water wheel.
How to get to the Wipperkotten:
Highway 3 Cologne - Oberhausen, exit Solingen / Langenfeld or Wiescheid turn
left.
After railway underpass turn right, direction Leichlingen / Wipperaue. At
bus stop
Haasenmühle turn right, after 500 meters you find the parking site near
the Wipperkotten.
Bus line 250 Solingen - Cologne
Opening hours:
Saturdays, Sundays, bank holidays from 14h to 18h or on appointment
Entrance fee: 1 € showing / guided tour for groups: 30 € on appointment
ADRESS: Fam. Rodenkirchen
Wipperkotten 42699 Solingen
TELEFONE: 0212 / 811682 or 800305
TELEFAX: 0212 / 22148725
E-MAIL: wipperkotten@web.de
INFO: www.wipperkotten.de ®
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