Rüdenstein

Rüdenstein is an architectural monument located at the border between Leichlingen and Solingen in North Rhine-Westphalia, positioned near the Solinger Hofschaft Obenrüden area. The structure combines the artistic vision of metal artist F. Otto Hoppe with a striking dog figure crafted from artificial stone.

The monument was unveiled on Ascension Day, May 26, 1927, with over 1000 guests and the Solingen City Band in attendance. The legend behind it dates back to 1424, when a duke was saved by his hunting dog during a perilous winter expedition.

The monument takes its name from a local legend about a hunting dog's rescue, which shapes the area's identity. The dog figure was crafted from artificial stone and serves as the focal point of the entire structure.

The monument sits at a border location and is accessible via hiking trails that cross the region. The structure has undergone multiple restorations to protect it from weather and maintain its distinctive features.

The monument preserves the story of young Duke Robert von Berg, whose life was saved in 1424 by his loyal hunting dog during a dangerous winter hunt. This nearly 600-year-old tale comes alive through the artwork standing at this border location between two settlements.