Landenberg, Germany (August 31, 2025)
Landenberg is one of the oldest towns in Germany and the home of Carl Benz of Mercedes-Benz. This is how Violet and I honored Ga — one of Violet’s grandfathers and my father-in-law. Richard Knies would have loved seeing this museum. It features the original Benz from Carl Benz — a three-wheeled car that was the start of the company with his name.
The original “Benz” designed by Carl Benz of Mercedes-Benz.
While going into this museum, I imagined Richard, my father-in-law, walking beside us getting all excited about the very engine work he’s done all his life. These original engines were simple enough to be worked on by mere mortals interested in how cars run. Not like today’s cars which are more computer than car for the most part.
Because of all the time Richard Knies has spent with me over the years, I instantly recognized how the car worked. The gear-shift on the left-hand side is how you work the speed and brake. This original model had 0.75 horse power, so it wasn’t likely to throw you from the vehicle and likely similar to a motorized bicycle than what you’d recognize as a car today.
The rest of the town is fascinating in that you can witness parts of a Roman wall built in 62 BC alongside other walls built around it still in the early part of 100 AD and the like. They tended to build up and over previous structures so archeologists have a field day sorting out which wall belonged to which period.
Both Violet and I wished that the wishing wells were still active. They have large grates just below where you can see the pictures taken and they are for show. I’m sure this is both safer for the town and better for the tourist experience, but it sure is fun to stumble across a working well every now and again.
Next up was St. Gallus which is the town church totally renovated. What caught my eye was the inclusive bench outside the church which included a seat for a wheelchair as well as a call-out for LGBTQ+, which Violet noticed and posed for a picture in front of this part of the bench.
The other thing that caught my attention was the large organ that was similar to the one we have at our congregation at UUCSR.
And finally, the rest of the town is full of historically kept buildings with original designs from the late 1400s and early 1500. One of the (many) challenges of keeping a building to its original build is that the walls don’t always line up. And, those that do were designed for shorter people living there.
The green house is where Iv Jaeger first lived in Landenberg. And the final picture to the right didn’t come out as I had hoped. It’s a clever carving of a pig with it’s head buried in the stump of the tree. Rather than digging out the tree stump, someone carved an animal digging into the ground.
Not sure if its the same artist, but there are a number of “perpetual motion” artwork displays where these large outdoor art displays are counter balanced so well that the slightest wind can get them going back and forth as they perfectly counter balance each other swinging around in a marvelous display.
This was our final stop for northern Germany before heading to Amsterdam. Violet and I enjoyed one last meal with Iv’s family right here in Landenberg. It was a wonderful way to bring closure to our time together.
I’m also excited for Iv’s retreat on September 21st, aptly called What Now? The Ultimate “Uncertain Times” Retreat for Coaches. In working with Iv this past week, I’m truly excited for what she and her partner, Claire Thomas have created and the impact it will have for those who join them in one of the most beautiful locations in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. I urge you to check it out while there’s still space left and an unbeatable price.
