Deutsches Klingenmuseum

About the museum

The collection dates back to 1904, when Solingen's technical school for metal design started a sample collection for its students. It grew quickly through purchases, gifts and endowments; its focal points became blades by Solingen masters, Baroque cutlery and travel cutlery sets. In 1954 the holdings moved into the rebuilt Gräfrath town hall and have been called the Deutsches Klingenmuseum (German Blade Museum) ever since; until 1991 the building also housed the municipal art collection, from which the Kunstmuseum Solingen later emerged.

In 1991 the museum moved into the buildings of the former Gräfrath convent. Benedictine nuns had founded it in 1187; the complex was a pilgrimage site for a long time and later served as a collegiate foundation, school, barracks, reformatory, archive and retirement home. The architect Josef Paul Kleihues redesigned the interiors for museum use; several blade-themed sculptures have since been added to the grounds.

Following the acquisition of two large collections, the museum owns the world's most extensive cutlery collection, along with edged weapons, cutlery and blade products, historical fencing manuals and pattern books, prints and archival material. Since December 2024 the upper floor has housed the new permanent exhibition "Me fecit Solingen" on blade making in the city. The museum also includes the Gräfrath church treasury, a reconstructed pewter foundry, a forge house for workshops, a children's exhibition and the Gräfrath-Museum run by the local history society. The museum is owned by the City of Solingen and hosts the annual KNIFE knife fair.

Highlights

• World's largest cutlery collection
• Permanent exhibition "Me fecit Solingen" on Solingen blade making
• Gothic and Baroque church treasury of the Gräfrath convent
• Historic Arrenberg pewter foundry with demonstrations
• Children's exhibition "Drache und Zauberschwert" (Dragon and Magic Sword)
• Fencing room for trying out historic weapons

Permanent exhibitions

• Me fecit Solingen – Opened in 2024 on the upper floor, the exhibition tells how blades have been made in Solingen since the early modern period and offers a room for trying out fencing.
• Drache und Zauberschwert – Interactive children's exhibition for preschool and elementary school children, introducing Solingen's blade-making tradition through hands-on stations.
• Der Gräfrather Kirchenschatz – Gothic and Baroque reliquaries and liturgical objects from the former convent, including the once much-visited relic of St. Catherine, in a room of their own.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Stadt Solingen

Director

Dr. Sixt Wetzler

Admission & discounts

Every first Saturday of the month, adults and concession visitors pay only half price. Free admission on your birthday (with proof). The Gräfrath-Museum and children's exhibition are included in admission; the church treasury alone can be visited free of charge (register at the ticket desk). Payment in cash or by Girocard (debit card); no credit cards and no PayPal.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Accessible entrance, elevator available; the rooms of the main building and the library are easily reached by wheelchair. Loaner wheelchair and portable folding stools in the foyer. Cars and minibuses can drive up to the entrance for drop-off. Tours for blind and visually impaired visitors with objects to touch on request. Website with content in Leichte Sprache (easy-to-read German) and sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Interactive children's exhibition "Drache und Zauberschwert" (Dragon and Magic Sword) with hands-on stations for kindergarten and elementary school-age children, included in regular admission. Blacksmith birthday party in the Schmiedehaus (forge house) for up to 12 children ages 8 and up (three hours, Tue–Sat; 2026 dates fully booked, booking for 2027 opens in December). Also children's events and a historical holiday program.

Getting there & parking

A 46, exit Haan-Ost, then toward Solingen-Gräfrath and follow the museum signs. Cars and minibuses can drive up to the entrance. Bike racks with battery charging to the right of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop in the foyer with cutlery and cutting tools from more than twenty Solingen companies and the museum's own publications, accessible without admission. Dining at the nearby Gräfrather Markt.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Up to 100 guests.

Stiftersaal on the first floor with projector, screen and concert grand piano: up to 100 people standing or seated in rows, approx. 60 at tables. Rental during opening hours, exceptions by arrangement; not available for wedding parties or champagne receptions.

Plan your visit