"Wuppertal - Ugly lovely town" Top 5 Page for this destination Wuppertal by brummielaura
Wuppertal Travel Guide: 73 reviews and 96 photos
Wuppertal is one of those 'ugly, lovely towns' (that's what Dylan Thomas said of Swansea, of course). Or, as Nobel prize winner Heinrich Boell put it, 'Wuppertal doesn't put make-up on' (Wuppertal schminkt sich nicht).
It's a very industrial place, but you can find a lot of hidden pretty corners, if only you take your time to look!
Wuppertal has some 360,000 inhabitants.
The area has been populated since the Middle Ages, but the town of Wuppertal was only created in 1929, when the previously independent towns of Barmen, Elberfeld, Cronenberg, Ronsdorf, Vohwinkel and Beyenburg were joined together to make up the new town. Some cynics talk about a 'forced marriage', and even today a little bit of friction is left, especially between Barmen and Elberfeld.
Life is centered around the river Wupper (Wuppertal literally means 'valley of the Wupper).
The list of famous 'Wuppertaler' includes: Johann Carl Fuhlrott (discovered the Neanderthaler), Friedrich Engels (chum of Karl Marx), Else Lasker-Schueler (expressionist poet), Johannes Rau (8th president of the Federal Republic of Germany), Tom Tykwer (film director, eg. 'Run, Lola, Run' and 'Perfume').
Wuppertal is most famous for the Schwebebahn, which is a suspension railway that is over 100 years old. The route stretches over 13 km along (or rather, above) the river Wupper.
In 1950, a circus decided to take one of their baby elephants for a ride on the Schwebebahn - for publicity! However, Tuffi the elephant panicked and jumped out of the carriage into the river Wupper. Luckily, she survived!
Yes, this really is a true story!
Reviews (16)
Cosy!
Nightlife
(3)
Probably the smallest bar/pub I've ever been to! Cafe du Congo is a tiny place at the heart of Wuppertal's... more travel advice
Penguin spotting
Off The Beaten Path
(2)
In 2006, Wuppertal Zoo turned 125 years old. Part of the celebrations was an event called 'Pinguinale'. Local business... more travel advice
Zoo Wuppertal
Things to Do
(5)
A beautifully landscaped garden - I dare say this would be a nice place for a stroll even without the animals. Don't... more travel advice
Go for a Stroll in the Park (Barmer...
Things to Do
(5)
Wuppertal has quite a few public parks and the Barmer Anlagen is one of them. They are named after the part of the city... more travel advice
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Comments (4)
Pina Basch and Tom Twyker! Amazing!
Wuppertal is a cool town. Loved riding the Schwebebahn. Favorite place to visit for night light is Salon De The. Friendly owners, great customers and overall the best place outside of the middle east to smoke a hookah.
Lovely little page about Wuppertal which is located only about 60 km from where I live. Can you believe that I have never taken a trip on the famous Schwebebahn?
Nice page! I love Bergische Waffeln, too long I've eaten them, I should make them again!
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