Podcast Tour Deciphering the Soul of Bayer Leverkusen

Cologne, Germany
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Duration2h 9m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English
Group sizeUp to 99 travelers

Overview

Step through the factory gates and immerse yourself in the meticulously planned society of Leverkusen in the early 20th century. This fascinating tour shows how the Bayer corporation not only built a chemical empire but a complete ecosystem for human life. From manicured Japanese gardens to picturesque workers' colonies, you discover the fascinating, contradictory world of 'Welfare Capitalism'. Was it the utopian dream of entrepreneurial care or a golden cage of absolute social control? Accompany your sociologist's guide and a local historian as they explore the still palpable soul of a city born at the conference table.

- 4.4 km self-guided tour with 6 stations over 129 min.
- Ideal for everyone interested in society & everyday life and history & memory
Excitingly told in a podcast style by experts and locals
- Suitable audio content, AI guide, and navigation via the app

What's included

  • Exciting audio output in podcast style with experts and locals
  • Interactive guide in the app for questions about history and surroundings
  • Verified facts incorporated into an exciting story
  • Point-to-point navigation between stops

What to expect

  1. 10m
    A breathtaking, 15,000 square meter garden artwork that served as the aesthetic jewel of Bayer's paternalistic vision.
  2. 10m
    The modern administrative heart of the Bavarian Empire, contrasting today's business transparency with the historical, hierarchical control.
  3. Kolonie-Museum Leverkusen
    10m
    A picturesque residential area modeled after the garden city, designed to keep the workers healthy, happy, and extremely loyal.
  4. Christuskirche
    10m
    A Protestant church heavily financed by Bayer, which shows how far the company's influence reached into the spiritual lives of its workers.
  5. 10m
    The former location of the huge department store, where the workers' wages flowed directly back into the corporation's economic cycle.
  6. Erholungshaus
    10m
    The absolute peak of cultural paternalism that high culture offered to solidify the culture of the 'Bavarian family'.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

From Leverkusen Main Station take local public transport towards Japanese Garden / Carl-Duisberg-Park. Get off at the nearest stop and walk the last few minutes to the Japanese Garden. Check the current connection on the travel day with the transport association.

End point

From the recreation center, walk to the nearest stop and take local public transport back to Leverkusen Central Station. The starting point is Erholungshaus, Leverkusen, Germany. Please check the current connection on the day of travel.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Parts of this description were translated automatically.

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