Workers' settlement Lange Riege

It is considered the oldest workers' settlement in Westphalia: the Lange Riege in Hagen was built at the end of the 17th century as a place to live and work for blade smiths from the Bergisches Land. In the three centuries of their existence, the houses have undergone some changes, but are still considered a "unique historical building ensemble" in Hagen, which has been largely preserved in its original form.

In the 17th century, bladesmiths were highly specialized craftsmen who were in great demand. On May 21, 1661, some blade smiths who could be recruited from Solingen signed a contract with the Great Elector Margrave Friedrich Wilhelm zu Brandenburg. They assured him that they would settle on his territory, more precisely: in Eilpe. Between 1665/1666, the elector had several buildings built in the typical Bergisch half-timbered style at his own expense. The buildings were built wall to wall in a long row along the Selbecker Bach, which earned them the name "Lange Riege". The self-contained craftsmen's settlement with three grinding workshops, steel hammers, stretchers, hardening huts and forges was laid out systematically and ensured short production and work distances.

After the last smithy closed, the plant threatened to fall into disrepair; however, it was saved and renovated in time before demolition. The settlement originally consisted of eight one-room houses called Gaden; stables at the back indicate livestock for personal use. Visitors can learn more about historical forging techniques in the nearby LWL open-air museum in Hagen - an anchor point on the route of industrial culture.