Solingen: Where Steel Meets Street Art

alright, so i’m in solingen, the city of blades, but let me tell you, it’s got more than just knives. i’m here as a street artist, and the walls are calling my name. first thing, apparently, it's currently feeling like a damp sweater out there, so if you're into that, go for it. the weather is pretty mild, but the humidity is high, so it’s a bit sticky.

when i got here, i was told by this local at a cafe that the best spot to paint is the alley behind the old train station. *the old train station is now abandoned and covered in tags, but there’s a huge wall that’s perfect for a big piece. however, someone warned me that they installed some motion lights recently, so you might want to go early. also, the police are known to patrol that area, so be stealthy.

if you run out of walls to paint, düsseldorf and cologne are just a hop, skip, and a jump away. i took a day trip to düsseldorf and it was amazing - the street art scene there is huge. but solingen has its own charm.

now, let me tell you about the locals. i overheard at a bar that the residents are pretty divided. some love the street art and think it brings life to the city, while others are not so happy about it. one drunk guy told me that the city council is actually commissioning some street artists to paint certain walls to make the city look more attractive. that’s a win, right?

i also heard that the knife museum is worth a visit, but honestly, i haven’t gone because i’m too busy painting. but from what i heard, it’s pretty cool. you can see how they make those famous solingen knives.

for supplies, i got my paints from local art supply store on the main street. they have everything you need. and for coffee, there’s this spot called kaffee roesterei that has the best flat white in town.

if you’re thinking of coming, my advice is to bring good waterproof paints because it rains a lot. also, wear comfortable shoes* because you’ll be walking a lot to find the perfect spot.

if you get tired of art, you can check out the Solingen Tourist Information for other activities. or if you need a caffeine fix, check out the Best Cafes in Solingen on yelp. there’s also a Street Art Walking Tour that i heard is worth it. and if you want to see more of the local scene, check out the Local Artist Collective on instagram.

so that’s solingen for you. it’s not the biggest city, but it’s got character. and the street art? it’s raw and real. just like the steel they make here.

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