Andernach is known for its geyser, its beautiful old town, and the imposing Round Tower. But when the fog rolls in from the Rhine and the last visitors head home, a whole different world comes to life in the town’s stories: the world of witches, sorcerers, and ghostly knights.
Witches
About 400 years ago, life was much bleaker than it is today. People often couldn’t explain illnesses, crop failures, or severe weather. So they had to find someone to blame. Suspected witches quickly became the target. Even a strange look, an argument, or a black cat could be enough to spark suspicion. In Andernach, too, people were accused of witchcraft and persecuted.
The Round Tower
Things get particularly eerie around the Round Tower, the town’s landmark. Deep beneath this massive tower lies the so-called Deusterkammer—a dungeon accessible only through a trapdoor. Prisoners were once held there, including people suspected of witchcraft. No wonder stories of the “witches and wizards of the Round Tower” soon began to spread. Who knows—maybe on stormy evenings you can still hear whispers coming from the old walls? Fortunately, that’s probably just the wind. Hopefully.
The Ghost Rider of Kell
But that’s not all. In the Kell district, the legendary Ghost Knight of Kell is said to still roam to this day. According to legend, he still gallops across the hills surrounding the village. The story is ancient and was first written down about 800 years ago. So if you hear the sound of hooves at night, you might be better off not going to check it out right away.
The Mermaid at the Alter Krahnen
According to legend, a mysterious mermaid once lived at the Alter Krahnen, whose beautiful singing magically drew sailors and fishermen to her, luring them into the dangerous waters of the Rhine. Those who followed her beguiling call often vanished without a trace into the water—a cautionary tale about the Rhine’s seductive yet unpredictable power.
As spooky as these stories may be, they remind us of a time when fear and superstition were often stronger than reason. Fortunately, today witches, ghostly knights, and mermaids only give us pleasant goosebumps and provide the basis for exciting tales.
And while they have long since become part of Andernach’s folklore, the region today stands above all for progress, innovation, and successful companies.
LTS AG is a good example of this: With state-of-the-art technology and highly specialized pharmaceutical systems, it helps ensure that Andernach is known not only for its fascinating past, but also for its strong and forward-looking present. Fortunately, the company relies on science rather than witchcraft—although a little magic sometimes seems almost inevitable when innovative ideas give rise to products in demand worldwide.
Photo: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
