Architect
products & services
bricks ● paving-stones ● slabs
Location
Schloßplatz, 42659 Solingen
Perched 110 meters above the Wupper, the medieval fortress Schloss Burg commands an impressive view. This historic ensemble, with roots dating back to the 12th century, captivates with its massive walls, monumental arches, and sunlit terraces. Once the seat of the Counts of Berg, who gave the Bergisches Land its name, it is today the region’s most popular excursion destination.
The ascent to the fortress is as varied as the site itself: visitors may take the steep castle paths for sport, ride the gondolas of the cable car for relaxation, or follow the winding access roads in a classic approach.
On behalf of the city of Solingen, DTP Landschaftsarchitekten carried out a comprehensive revitalization of the grounds, combining historical authenticity with modern functionality and reimagining the area as a compelling space for culture, markets, and tourism.
Across more than 5,000 m², the project primarily employed belgrano® graywacke paving in various formats, complemented by custom-designed wall constructions.
The design concept follows a clear narrative: the deeper a visitor ventures into the core of the site, the more historically inspired the construction becomes. While durable small-format paving dominates the exterior areas, interior paths feature unbound, historicizing surfaces. Massive split blocks and graywacke gravel mulch complete the authentic overall impression.
The result is a robust yet atmospheric framework, providing the perfect stage for cultural events, traditional markets, and modern tourism alike.
Since the 12th century, local sandstone has shaped the appearance of the site. The use of Bergische graywacke from Lindlar was mandatory from a heritage preservation perspective. Short transport distances from the regional quarry ensure an excellent CO₂ balance.
The selected natural stone also impresses with its high durability, essential for the heavy use of the area. Geologically, graywacke is a particularly hard, sedimentary sandstone whose mineral composition provides exceptional compressive strength and weathering resistance. This makes it a solid foundation for cultural events, markets, and large visitor numbers. Furthermore, the stone withstands the climatic challenges of the exposed hillside location, demonstrating extreme frost resistance and resilience to weather conditions at altitude.
The topography of the castle grounds required a special custom solution: For the sloping walls, 100 m² of belgrano® wall stones were developed as a special series. They were precisely cut and given a flamed face to skillfully moderate the transition to the rugged natural rock.
The execution of the project was a true logistical feat. The extreme slope and the acute lack of space on-site demanded a strict just-in-time procedure, made possible through precise coordination of all parties – from the quarry, through BESCO and the logistics partners, to the construction site.
The construction of the complex exterior areas was handled by Ringbeck GmbH. Specialized paving work was carried out by Marko Vucak GmbH from Dortmund. Only the collaboration of these skilled crafts ensured the precise implementation of the demanding design under the challenging conditions of the steep slope.
Despite the demanding topography, thoughtful planning enabled barrier-reduced access throughout the ensemble. The natural grip of belgrano® graywacke, meticulous joint cutting, and tactile guidance strips now provide high usability and inclusivity. This created an accessible, inclusive space that preserves the historical charm of the site without compromising the visual integrity of the protected monument.
A special thanks goes to the design office DTP Landschaftsarchitekten and all project partners for their outstanding collaboration in realizing this ambitious undertaking.
Photo credit: © Nikolai Benner
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Landscape architecture
