Discovering Hagen - Germany's Enchanting Surprise

The city of Hagen in Germany is a quaint and historical European town whose rich culture was shaped by its natural beauty. Known for its soaring castle, Hagen is also home to some of the world's most influential artists. If you’re a traveler who loves adventure, you can experience this charming town for yourself. There’s a lot to see and do, but you should be prepared for the journey ahead. When you’re in Hagen, you’ll want to be prepared to take the time to really get to know the city. It’s a good idea to book a tour, if you can. 

About Hagen

Hagen is located in North Rhine-Westphalia with an estimated population of 188.529 and serves as both the center and seat of government for Hagen Region and District. Additionally, it hosts a University, which offers state funded distance education degrees. Hagen was transformed during the 19th century into an industrialized center of coal and steel production. In the early 20th century became the site of an uprising by workers from the Ruhr Valley in response to Kapp Putsch, an attempt by rightists to overthrow the elected government and restore the monarchy by overthrowing the elected government. This uprising lasted from March 13 until April 2, 1920, killing an estimated 1000 people.

Today, Hagen is a modern industrial city with a diverse economy. Although well known for textile and steel manufacturing, chemical products, auto parts, pollution-abatement equipment are also produced here. Additionally, Hagen hosts both a research institute and several colleges and universities.

The city has a rich history of migration and immigration. Its inhabitants come from diverse European backgrounds, such as German, Dutch, and French. While German is the primary language spoken within its borders, most residents also speak Westphalian Standard German or Low Saxon as part of their local language repertoire. Hagen is derived from Old High German hagan, meaning enclosure. As such, it is a Germanic surname associated with the House of Burgundy. Hagen also features in Nibelungenlied legend, where he kills Siegfried by striking him on the only vulnerable part of his body, in turn, this character ties in with Gutthorm, Gunnar's actual assassin in this story.

The City of Hagen

Hagen was once at the heart of Germany's industrial world, and remains home to numerous landmarks that testify to this past glory. Additionally, it serves as an educational hub, home of Germany's only public distance teaching university - FernUniversitat; cultural activities in Hagen are abundant; it boasts a library system; transportation links serve both local services and ICE routes leading outward from Hagen to other major cities across Germany; Werdringen Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by feudal lords in the 13th century to defend against local warlords. It was restored over time to become a museum with artifacts like swords and armor, as well as fossilized insects from 318 million years ago! Just minutes from Hagen central station is this impressive medieval fortress dating back to 13th-century Europe! Today it houses exhibits such as swords, armor and fossilized insects found here!

Hagen is home to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Markischer metal museum, an impressive display of metalwork and mining artifacts displayed in an old mine shaft. Additionally, there are small exhibitions of art and history covering Mark's history from prehistory through Middle Ages. Hagen is well known for its Zwieback, an irresistibly crunchy bakery product similar to English rusk or Italian biscotti made by Hagen's local brand of the same name. For something a bit heartier, there are numerous fine restaurants.

Hagen was home to 679 Jewish residents before World War II; their homes, stores, and synagogue were destroyed in 1938 due to Nazi policies; those living within this community were sent off to concentration camps; of those that survived during this war period, approximately 300 eventually relocated elsewhere within Germany or emigrated outright. Hagen is home to the Westfalisches Landesmuseum fur Handwerk und Technik, an open-air museum featuring traditional crafts and trades such as rope making, brewing, tanning, baking, and papermaking, it makes a fascinating way to spend the day.

Explore around Hagen 

Hagen is one of the largest cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, housing roughly 198 thousand residents. As both an industrial center and sporting venue, this city offers outstanding modern sports facilities, as well as being home to FernUniversitat Hagen – Germany's only governmental open university. Hagen Mountains are Ambarino's signature landmark. Situated southeast of Lake Isabella and serving as the main pass through Ambarino's western mountain range, these snow capped peaks feature glaciers sloping down their sides, creating an eye-catching profile that can be seen from far away. These mountains also make an excellent wintertime ski and snowboard destination!

As well as its natural beauty, Hagen region boasts an extensive industrial history dating back to the 18th century. Trip hammers invented in this area contributed to its industrial growth at this time; at its height, Hagen became one of the top steel and coal producers worldwide. Today, Hagen remains heavily impacted by industrial activity; however, it has managed to stay true to its roots while remaining an idyllic location for living, working, and playing. Home to numerous parks and green spaces, as well as an active cultural scene; Hagen Regional Museum provides an ideal way to learn more about Hagen's past and its surrounding area. Hagen Museum should be on every visitor's itinerary when in Erie. Boasting an impressive collection of artifacts and items that illustrate Erie's culture, visitors will gain insight into Erie's heritage through this museum. Other great Erie museums include Presque Isle State Park and Lakeshore Railway Museums as well.

The World Heritage Site of Hagen

UNESCO has given Hagen's cultural landscape outstanding international significance. Comprising medieval castles and manor houses as well as parks and woodlands, Hagen boasts several historic mills that once provided economic strength in Hagen; 40 historic buildings are protected by state preservation in total. History has left its mark on Hagen region, manifesting in its language, culture, and architecture. Hagen was part of Burgundian kingdom during Middle Ages and some characters from Nibelungenlied may have been inspired by real individuals. Unfortunately, this book was written centuries after the events it depicted, so it's difficult to pinpoint those characters directly as actual historical originals. However, Siegfried may correspond with Burgundian King Sigimund, Brunhild may resemble Brunichildis from Brunichildis' life story or Hagnericus who guided Saint Columban home safely in his travels!

Today, Hagen's cultural landscape is safeguarded both legally and through volunteer efforts. It is managed by an Executive Steering Committee and task groups; additionally, it is served by the World Heritage Hesse Staff Unit within the Hessian State Office for Historical  Monument Preservation. Hagen faces one of its greatest challenges due to climate change; climate change's detrimental effect on natural values of its landscape can be seen through glacier losses that UNESCO considers worthy of protection, with their decline threatening both the integrity and value of sites throughout Hagen. Ingeborg Refling Hagen's philosophy and thinking can best be illustrated through her poem Guds Tuntre (The Courtyard Tree of God). The poet finds solace in the mythic interpretation that all life comes from Yggdrasil; providing her with an outlet, Tangen, where she can concentrate on work without interruption.