History of Remscheid

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Remscheid is rooted in the High Middle Ages. The first written records of the settlement date back to the 12th century, estimated around 1173. Initially, it was a small Frankish village that emerged during the development of forested territories. According to researchers, the name of the city comes from a combination of the ancient name "Rem" and the word "Scheid," which often denoted a mountain ridge or a settlement boundary on an elevation.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a modest settlement into a significant industrial centre, for which Germany is famous, was driven by a fortunate combination of natural and political factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is located on the heights of the Bergisches Land region. An abundance of forests provided timber for the production of charcoal, which was essential for blacksmithing.
• Water Resources: Numerous streams and rivers flowing in the valleys provided energy for water wheels, which powered the hammers and bellows of the first workshops.
• Political Stability: The inclusion of these lands into the County, and later the Duchy of Berg, created favourable conditions for the development of crafts under the protection of local rulers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Already in the early stages of its development, Remscheid formed as a city of craftsmen. The local economy was built around the mining and processing of iron. Numerous forges and grinding workshops, known as "Kottens," were built along the rivers.

A distinct feature of the local culture was the establishment of extensive trade connections. Despite the lack of direct access to the sea, Remscheid merchants and craftsmen actively exported their tools and hardware far beyond the region, laying the foundation for the city's future international reputation as a centre of the tool industry.

Key Historical Milestones

• 1173 – First documentary mention of the settlement in the economic records of Werden Abbey.
• 1808 – Remscheid officially receives city status, giving impetus to the development of local self-government and trade.
• 1815 – The city's territory becomes part of Prussia, becoming part of the Rhine Province following the decisions of the Congress of Vienna.
• 1845 – The future Nobel laureate Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was born in neighbouring Lennep, which would later become part of the city.
• 1868 – Opening of the railway connection, linking local production facilities with major sales markets.
• 1897 – Completion of the famous Müngsten Bridge — the highest railway viaduct, which is the pride of Germany.
• 1929 – Implementation of a large-scale administrative reform, merging Remscheid with the towns of Lennep and Lüttringhausen.
• 1943 – Serious destruction of urban infrastructure and the historic centre during the events of the Second World War.
• 1950s – A period of active economic recovery and rapid growth of the tool industry during the "economic miracle."
• 1967 – Opening of the Teo Otto Theater, which became the main stage for cultural events in the region.
• 1991 – Founding of the Bergisches Symphony Orchestra, uniting the musical traditions of Remscheid and Solingen.
• 2006 – Completion of a major reconstruction of the city centre and the opening of the modern Allee-Center shopping complex.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The story of the transformation of the city of Remscheid from a small settlement into a significant industrial centre is full of events that defined its unique appearance and character. Below are the key milestones that played a decisive role in the city's destiny:

• The Rise of the "Seaport on the Mountain" (Late 18th – 19th Century)

  Significance: The phenomenon of export trade. Local merchants and tool manufacturers established global trade connections without having direct access to the sea. This secured the city's reputation as a world centre for the tool industry and ensured the economic prosperity of the region.

• Obtaining City Status (1808)

  Significance: Administrative independence. Official recognition of the status gave impetus to the development of local self-government, the organisation of urban planning, and the strengthening of the legal framework for growing businesses and crafts.

• Opening of the Railway and Müngsten Bridge (1897)

  Significance: Infrastructure breakthrough. The construction of the highest railway bridge in the country, which Germany takes pride in, solved the problem of the difficult landscape by connecting industrial zones with major transport arteries and markets.

• The Great City Merger (1929)

  Significance: Consolidation and centralisation. The merger of Remscheid with the neighbouring towns of Lennep and Lüttringhausen created a major administrative centre (Großstadt). This combined industrial capacities, historical heritage, and human resources, forming the modern structure of the city.

• Post-War Reconstruction (1950–1960s)

  Significance: Architectural renewal. After the destruction of the Second World War, the city centre was rebuilt. This period was marked by the creation of a new urban layout and the modernisation of factories, allowing the city to become one of the engines of the "economic miracle."

• Transformation of the Cultural Landscape (Second Half of the 20th Century)

  Significance: Development of the humanitarian sphere. The opening and development of institutions such as the Teo Otto Theater and the German Röntgen Museum (in Lennep) diversified the life of the city, adding the status of an important cultural and scientific centre to its industrial image.

• Revitalisation of the Centre and the "Allee-Center" Project (Early 21st Century)

  Significance: Modern urbanism. The large-scale restructuring of the central part and the opening of a major shopping complex radically changed the appearance of downtown, increasing its attractiveness for residents and stimulating the service and retail sectors.

Urban Structure and Architectural Contrast

The architectural appearance of the city of Remscheid is distinguished by a pronounced dualism, driven by its history and polycentric structure. The city does not have a single historical core in the traditional sense but consists of several districts with different building characters. While the central part (Alt-Remscheid) was almost completely rebuilt after the destruction of the Second World War in the spirit of functionalism, the Lennep district has preserved the unique atmosphere of a medieval town with traditional regional architecture.

Traditional Style: Bergisch Baroque and Rococo

The hallmark of the region where Germany (state of North Rhine-Westphalia) is located is the so-called "Bergisch style." It dominates the historical quarters of Lennep and Lüttringhausen.

• Era: 18th–19th centuries (based on earlier medieval layouts).
• Characteristic Features: The famous "Bergisch Triad" (Bergischer Dreiklang). This is a combination of black slate, which covers facades and roofs, white window frames and cornices, and bright green shutters.
• Urban Planning: Lennep has preserved a radial-circular street structure, typical of medieval fortresses, although the buildings themselves were erected later, following major city fires.

The Era of Industrialisation: Gründerzeit and Historicism

The period of rapid industrial growth in the late 19th — early 20th century left the city a legacy in the form of monumental public buildings, factory buildings, and villas of industrialists.

• Manufacturers' Villas: Wealthy mansions in Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque styles, surrounded by parks, demonstrate the prosperity of the local bourgeoisie of that time. An example is the area around the City Park.
• Haus Cleff: An outstanding example of a patrician house in the Rococo style (built in 1778-1779), which stands out against the background of more austere architecture.
• Engineering Architecture: The Müngsten Bridge is a masterpiece of steel architecture from the late 19th century, symbolising the technical progress of the era.

Modernism and Post-War Reconstruction

The centre of Remscheid serves as a visual guide to urban planning of the second half of the 20th century. After the destruction of 1943, the city was replanned with an emphasis on functionality and automotive accessibility.

• Style: Post-war modernism, functionalism.
• Features: Simple geometric forms, wide streets, use of concrete and glass.
• Town Hall (Rathaus): A monumental building with a high tower, originally built in the early 20th century, was restored in the 1950s in simplified forms, combining elements of historicism and modern restraint. It dominates the silhouette of the city centre.

Contemporary Architecture

In the 21st century, the development of the urban environment continued in the direction of revitalisation and the creation of comfortable public spaces. A striking example is the Allee-Center shopping mall, which was integrated into the existing urban fabric, becoming a new centre of attraction and changing pedestrian flows in the city centre.

Famous Natives and Residents

The city of Remscheid has been the birthplace of many outstanding people whose achievements in science, art, and industry have been recognised far beyond the region. Below are key figures associated with the city's history.

• Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen (1845–1923)
  Physicist, first Nobel Prize laureate in Physics
  The great scientist was born in Lennep (now a district of Remscheid). His discovery of X-rays revolutionised medicine and diagnostics, saving millions of lives. A unique museum has been opened in the city in his honour.
• Reinhard Mannesmann (1856–1922)
  Engineer, inventor, and industrialist
  A representative of a famous dynasty of entrepreneurs. Together with his brother Max, he developed the technology for rolling seamless steel tubes. This invention became the foundation for creating a global industrial concern and strengthened the industrial power for which Germany is famous.
• Johann Peter Hasenclever (1810–1853)
  Painter
  One of the most prominent representatives of the Düsseldorf School of Painting in the 19th century. He is known for his genre paintings, which depicted the life of German society in the Biedermeier era with irony and detail.
• Teo Otto (1904–1968)
  Scenographer and theatre designer
  A master of stage design who worked with the greatest directors and theatres in Europe, including collaborations with Bertolt Brecht. His contribution to culture is immortalised in the name of Remscheid's main city theatre — the Teo Otto Theater.
• Wolfgang Tillmans (born 1968)
  Photographer and artist
  An internationally recognised contemporary artist born in Remscheid. He became the first photographer and the first non-British person to be awarded the prestigious Turner Prize in the field of contemporary art.
• Christine Urspruch (born 1970)
  Theatre and film actress
  A popular German actress and native of Remscheid. She gained wide fame thanks to her roles in film adaptations of Paul Maar's children's books and her participation in the highly popular detective series "Tatort" (Crime Scene).