Dicke-Ibach-Treppe

The Dicke-Ibach-Treppe is a monumental sandstone staircase in the Barmen district with 35 steps arranged in a Z-shaped configuration connecting different elevation levels. The structure includes a viewpoint tower and decorative artistic elements, including a relief sculpture that emphasizes its role as a public art piece.

Constructed in 1897 by Friedrich Wilhelm Dicke and Rudolf Ibach, the staircase reflects late 19th-century design drawing from Gothic and castle architecture. It emerged during Wuppertal's period of rapid urban growth and industrialization when such public infrastructure played a key role in connecting expanding neighborhoods.

The staircase carries the names of its builders and functions as a daily route for locals moving between residential areas and the park. The artistic elements along the steps, particularly the relief sculpture, shape how people experience the passage and reflect the cultural importance of such structures in the city.

The staircase connects the park area with elevated residential zones and can be accessed from either end depending on your direction of travel. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the stone steps can become slippery in wet weather.

Wuppertal holds a remarkable record for public staircases, with over 500 stepped pathways throughout the city, making it Germany's highest concentration of such structures. This staircase represents just one piece of an extensive network of pedestrian routes that navigate the city's hilly terrain.