Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A bunch of 5 friends set off for
Solingen from
Cologne Hauptbahnhof. Its the city known for manufacturing fine razors (Wilkinson Sword), knives, swords & scissors. Blacksmith smelters, since 1st century have been found around the town giving them fame as Northern Europe Blacksmith center. We reached 'Burg an der Wupper' (Palace on river Wupper) by Tram 683 which lies at the southern extent. We decided to trek up to the Schloss Burg (Burg Castle) rather then by trolleybus. On our way we came across a memorial that was inscribed by the original name which was Castle Neuenberge (New mountain) or novus mons, novum castrum or novi montis castrum in Latin. Siege of castle by Swedish soldiers in 1632 led to its destruction. It was finally restored & reconstructed in 1925. The entire view of city after reaching top was heavenly.
We then headed to visit the highest railroad bridge in Germany- 'Müngsten Bridge', originally named as Kaiser-Wilhelm Brücke. The 107 meter tall bridge traverses the valley of Wupper. The landmark built in 1897 is not in use anymore but gives a picturesque landscape.
