Balkhauser Kotten

About the museum

For centuries, Solingen's blade grinders worked in Kotten (grinding mills) on streams and on the Wupper River, whose waterwheels drove the grindstones; within today's city limits there were up to 109 such workshops. The Balkhauser Kotten below the hamlet of Balkhausen is probably first mentioned in 1504 and was expanded into a double mill with a second building in 1612. After fires, larger half-timbered buildings were built around 1830 and 1854; with around 70 grinding stations, the complex was one of the largest on the Wupper, and around 1920 there were still 56 grinders working here.

In the 20th century the Kotten fell into disrepair: the outer mill made way for road construction in 1950, and after a flood in 1957 the weir and headrace were abandoned. A board of supporters saved the inner mill and opened a grinders' museum in 1962, where grinders continued to work until the 1980s. After a fire in 1969, the building was faithfully reconstructed and reopened in 1972; in 2002 the headrace was renewed so that the waterwheel turns again.

On display are the undershot waterwheel, a massive oak shaft with a cogwheel, grinding rooms with natural sandstones and a Pließtstube (polishing room). The building belongs to the City of Solingen, and the museum is run by volunteers of the Kuratorium Balkhauser Kotten. The Kotten was severely damaged in the July 2021 flood and has been under restoration ever since.

Highlights

• One of two largely original Solingen grinding mills
• Working waterwheel 4 m in diameter with an oak shaft
• Grinding rooms with natural sandstones and a polishing room (Pließtstube)
• Idyllic setting right on the Wupper River along the Klingenpfad trail

Founded

1962

Operated by

Kuratorium Balkhauser Kotten e. V. (Gebäude im Eigentum der Stadt Solingen)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

According to the website, admission to the grinders' museum is free. Grinding and sharpening seminars (3 hrs €79, 5 hrs with guided tour and coffee and cake €99) will only be offered again after the reopening.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Kottenlädchen shop with Solingen cutlery, drinks, waffles and small snacks (currently closed); online shop at laden.balkhauser-kotten.de. Traditional festivals: Waffle Day (1st Sunday in April), Potato Pancake Day (last Sunday of the North Rhine-Westphalia summer school holidays), Kale Day (1st Sunday in November) – suspended during the reconstruction.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 30 guests.

The Forum am Wasserrad for parties, readings and small concerts with 25–30 people; an official wedding venue of the Solingen registry office, including outdoor ceremonies on the banks of the Wupper. Not available during the restoration.

Plan your visit