Wuppertal Sights and Landmarks Guide, Germany

Wuppertal is no Cologne (Köln) or Dusseldorf, but still there is enough to see in this Wupper-valley city to keep tourists engaged and engrossed for a few days. Wuppertal sights include historic sites and districts, buildings and structures that are as much famous for their architecture as for their historic or cultural worth and a number of other cultural attractions like museums, galleries, etc. Again, there are Wuppertal’s many green-patches and natural attractions to visit. And then, there is Wuppertal’s greatest attraction ‘Schwebebahn’ to visit all these Wuppertal sights.

Wuppertal Sights – Natural Attractions

Speaking of Wuppertal’s natural attractions, we must say that the valley-city of Wuppertal is beauty personified in its striking topography; whether you look at the meandering Wupper River or the steep hillsides with their many houses and staircases or the lush greenery around you will like every aspect of Wuppertal despite the influence of the Industrial Revolution.

Wuppertal has some very beautiful parks and gardens like the Arboretum Burgholz and the Botanischer Garten Wuppertal; while the former has over 100 exotic trees planted in it, the latter has trees of rare, protected species.

Then there is the Wuppertal Zoo, which is regarded as one of Germany’s most scenic zoos. The zoo houses some rare animal species.

Wuppertal Sights – Cultural and Historical Attractions

The Von der Heydt Museum is not only Wuppertal’s pride but also one of Germany’s prime cultural attractions; the gallery exhibits include art-works of famous 19th and 20th century artists.

The Engelshaus or birthplace/childhood-residence of the co-proponent of Marxism, Friedrich Engels is the other important cultural spot you ought to visit. Today, the house (in the Barmen region) acts as a museum and its exhibits not only include the belongings of Friedrich Engels but even that of other famous Wuppertalans.

Among other Wuppertal sights of cultural significance are the Concert Hall and the Wuppertal Dance Theatre. These two Wuppertal cultural venues are famous the world-over for their extra-ordinary architecture. Also known as Stadthalle or City Hall, the Concert Hall (a good example of neoclassic-style structure) was inaugurated in 1900 by German Emperor William II. Wuppertal also has a clock museum.

Wuppertal’s historic attractions include sites like Briller and Olberg districts. While Briller, a 19th century district, has been rendered famous by its bourgeois villas, the Olberg neighborhood was one of the 20th century’s biggest working-class districts in the whole of Germany.

Wuppertal Sights – Specialty Attraction

The Schwebebahn or Wuppertal’s suspended monorail system is undoubtedly Wuppertal’s specialty attraction. This is no fictional stuff but real suspended monorail system that has been ferrying passengers since 1901 and is credited with being the oldest monorail system in the world. You must sit in the Schwebebahn to get the feel of hovering in mid-air as the train speeds over the Wupper River and other parts of the city.

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