Bergisches Land

Land: North Rhine-Westphalia

Situation and characteristics

The Bergisches Land, formerly the County of Berg, lies between the Ruhr and the Sieg, the Rhine and the Sauerland region, with a landscape patterned by hills, forests, meadows and rivers. In earlier times water power provided the motive force for ironworks and mills, resulting in the development of a small-scale ironworking industry. Many rivers in this area have now been harnessed by dams, leading to the formation of a series of artificial lakes (Bever, Neye, Sengbach, Wupper).

The typical local house has black and white half-timbering, with green shutters and a slated roof. Often the side walls are also clad with slates.