Wipperkotten

Description

On the north bank of the Wupper in Solingen stands the Wipperkotten, a historic double-kotten complex and one of the city's two grinding works on the Wupper to have been largely preserved in their original condition. Today the inner kotten serves as a residence, while the outer kotten is operated as an industrial and grinders' museum.

The kotten is located in the southern part of Solingen in the Burg/Höhscheid district, near the city boundary with Leichlingen. The site is reached via a spur road from the Wipperaue; several hiking trails pass by, including the Klingenpfad, the Liewerfrauenweg, opened in 2023, and the Erlebnisweg Wupper leading to the Manuelskotten in Wuppertal-Cronenberg.

The complex consists of two two-storey timber-framed buildings with gabled roofs, separated only by a narrow water trench. A headrace, branching off from a weir, channels water to undershot waterwheels; these are mounted on their own wooden shafts between the inner and outer kotten and mechanically drive grindstones and polishing wheels.

First mentioned in lease records in 1605, the Wipperkotten is believed to have been established around 1600. In the 17th century the double-kotten complex provided space for 12 to 16 grinders. Fires destroyed the buildings in 1783 and 1858; on both occasions they were rebuilt. In the 19th century the area served by the grinders extended far beyond Solingen. After the Second World War the complex fell into disrepair; after 1954 the inner kotten was used as a residence by an artist, while individual grinders continued to work in the outer kotten. Thanks to the commitment of grinders and supporters, the outer kotten was preserved and established as a branch of the LVR Industrial Museum Solingen; manual workers still use it for grinding, and an exhibition documents the history of the site and the profession.

Severe flood damage in 2021 led to extensive restorations, which began in mid-2023 and were carried out with the support of the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz; the restoration of the museum was largely completed by early 2025. The Wipperkotten, together with the Balkhauser Kotten, is regarded as the last original surviving grinding kotten on the Wupper and stands as an important testimony to Solingen's economic history.