Solingen, Industrial manufacturing city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Solingen is a city in the Düsseldorf administrative region of North Rhine-Westphalia, positioned along the northern fringe of hilly Bergisches Land. The terrain features wooded slopes and several stream valleys where forges took root centuries ago, now home to production halls and craft workshops dedicated to cutlery and blades.
A document from 1067 first records the place as Solonchon in a land grant to a monastery. During the late Middle Ages, sword smiths and blade craftsmen grew in number, exporting weapons and tools across Europe and building a lasting reputation.
The name likely stems from an old word for muddy stream, reflecting early settlement along waterways that powered grinding wheels. Small workshops still occupy corners of certain neighborhoods, showing how blade crafting remains woven into everyday routines rather than confined to museums.
The main station offers connections to larger centers nearby, while a trolleybus system links different parts of the city across the valleys. Many streets follow hilly contours, so walking routes sometimes require a bit of stamina on steeper stretches.
A blade bearing the city's name must have been manufactured in the region and can only carry the mark if at least grinding or hardening takes place locally. This rule protects the origin label much like wine from certain growing zones.
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