Mettmann: Discover evolution, city history and nature

Mettmann tells its story across very different timescales: the exhibition at the Neanderthal Museum covers seven million years of human history, while the City History House presents more than 1,000 years of Mettmann’s past across three floors. Other attractions include the Evolution Trail, historic buildings and destinations in the municipal forest. This gives you a choice of culture, evolution and nature during your stay, rather than reducing Mettmann to a single theme.

From the Neanderthal to the city’s history

The family-friendly exhibition at the Neanderthal Museum explores seven million years of human history. The museum is located at Talstraße 300, 40822 Mettmann. For families interested in human evolution, the exhibition offers a specific thematic focus that extends far beyond local city history.

The City History House, by contrast, focuses on Mettmann and its past. Across three floors, it presents more than 1,000 years of city history. This includes limestone mining in the Neander Valley around 1856, which brought the remains of the Neanderthal to light. By including both topics in your trip, you can explore the long history of humankind at the museum and the history of the town at the City History House from different perspectives.

Evolution in the city and along the trail

The Evolution Trail connects the Neanderthal town of Mettmann with the Neanderthal Museum. It consists of a loosely arranged series of landmarks along the country road from Erkrath to Mettmann, through the valley of the Düssel and the Mettmann Stream. Artistic design and surprising installations are intended to make evolutionary themes more accessible. The trail thus complements the exhibition with a different approach to the same subject.

The Evolution Trail also includes a documentation and presentation project in downtown Mettmann, inspired by the concept of the “speaking city.”

Historic traces and the municipal forest

The Goldberg Mill was first mentioned in 1450 and is used as a venue for cultural events. Its original milling mechanism is to be preserved as a technical monument. The Goldberg Mill is located in the municipal forest, where you will also find Goldberg Pond and hiking trails. Here, a historic site, a technical landmark and opportunities for walks in the municipal forest come together. This combination may be of interest when planning your holiday if you would like to include nature and trails as well as exhibitions.

Another historic landmark is the Romanesque Church of St. Lambertus, built in the 12th century. Its tower and baptismal font have survived to this day. Together with the Goldberg Mill, it shows that Mettmann’s history is not only explored at the City History House, but is also visible in individual buildings and technical objects.

Outdoor swimming pool and trip planning

The natural swimming pool is accessible by bus or by the S28 Regiobahn to the Goldberger Teich, Toni-Turek-Allee or Mettmann-Stadtwald stops. Footpaths lead from the stops to the pool. If you plan to visit, you can include these travel options in your day’s itinerary. These connections provide a specific point of reference for finding your way to the pool.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Mettmann, it is worth first deciding which experiences you would like to shape your stay: evolution and city history, trails in the municipal forest, or a visit to the natural swimming pool. The city brings together these different interests without requiring you to follow the same itinerary.

If you’d like to explore other places as you plan your trip: Haan, Monheim am Rhein, Wülfrath, Ratingen, Heiligenhaus, Hilden, Velbert, Langenfeld.

For the broader travel overview: Mettmann.