Guests from abroad often name Heidelberg as their favorite destination in Germany. Around 12 million guests a year make their way to explore the flair of the historic university town in a picturesque location. The city on the Neckar not only offers magnificent history, but also advanced modernity, culture, entertainment, diverse shopping possibilities and a varied gastronomy for all requirements.
In addition to the Heidelberg Castle, Schwetzingen is particularly well worth seeing, as is the world-famous Speyer cathedral. The wine and asparagus region of Kraichgau, attractive golf courses, the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena and the bathing area in Sinsheim offer a great experience in the surroundings.
And who would have thought that the first “gas station” in the world could be found in the neighboring wine-growing city of Wiesloch! In August 1888, Bertha Benz, the wife of the Baden-based automobile inventor Carl Benz, was driving from Mannheim to Pforzheim with her two sons with her car, the Benz Patent Motor Car No. 3. On this first long-distance journey of world history, the three automakers south of Heidelberg, however, ran out of fuel. The light-weight Ligroin, which was offered as a cleaning agent at that time, was fortunately on purchase in the Wiesloch City Pharmacy. Thus Bertha Benz was able to continue her journey with a full tank. The City Pharmacy became the first gas station in the world, its pharmacist Ockel the first gas station attendant ever! The pharmacy still exists today and can be visited. There is also a specially designed Bertha Benz Memorial Tour for interested tourists.
