Steffenshammer
Listed forge cottage from 1746 in the Gelpe valley with a working water hammer; visits during tours and events.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Steffenshammer in the Gelpe valley of Remscheid was built in 1746 in place of an older predecessor. Tools and small ironware were made here, as well as Raffinierstahl (refined steel), a high-quality tool steel of its time. From 1825 the cottage belonged to the Steffens family, who ran it until 1928; afterwards it was used for occasional work until 1958.
The town of Remscheid then took over the hammer, which served as a branch of the German Tool Museum for display purposes. In 2009 the friends' association "Steffenshammer e. V." for historic forging technology acquired it in order to preserve it for the public. The association is supported by private individuals, companies and the town.
The Gelpe water is dammed in a pond and drives an overshot waterwheel, which moves a wooden tail hammer; a smaller wheel powers the bellows of the forge. As the last working water hammer in the Bergisches Land, it retains its original 18th-century construction. The site is supplemented by electrically powered machines from around 1890 to 1930 (grinding wheel, spring hammer, drop hammer) and the "Kiepe", a half-timbered small smithy that serves as an exhibition room.
Highlights
- Last working water hammer in the Bergisches Land
- Overshot waterwheel with wooden tail hammer from 1746
- Historic machines: grinding wheel, spring hammer and drop hammer
- "Kiepe" as a half-timbered exhibition room
- Forging demonstrations and events such as "Anschmieden" and hammer festivals
- Operated by
- Steffenshammer e. V. (Förderverein für historische Schmiedetechnik)
Admission & discounts
| Children & teens | –Guided tours for kindergartens and school classes are free of charge. |
|---|---|
| Groups | €2.50 per personAdults pay €2.50 per person, but only for group tours with a total value of at least €25. |
No regular individual admission; visits take place as part of guided tours and events.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The hammer plant and outdoor grounds are only partially accessible for wheelchair users; the toilet can be reached by wheelchair. Contacting the museum before a visit is recommended.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Guided tours for kindergartens and school classes are free; during demonstrations, visitors can even swing the hammer themselves.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Remscheid-Gerstau
Take bus line 615 to the Remscheid-Gerstau stop, from Remscheid and from Wuppertal.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no adequate parking directly at the hammer; park on the opposite side of the L 216 (Morsbachtalstraße). For large events, follow the notices in the announcements.
The hammer is in the Clemenshammer district on the Gelpe brook, where the Historisches Gelpetal industrial history trail begins and ends. If the navigation system does not accept "Clemenshammer 3", use "Clemenshammer 48" instead.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
At events, grilled food and Bergisch waffles are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided walks with machines in operation for groups, kindergartens and school classes; registration via the contact form (contact for tours). Forging demonstrations for young and old. |
