Where was the first petrol station in the world?

Wiesloch made history in 1888, when Bertha Benz was out driving her newly invented car for the first time and stopped for a petrol fill up at the city pharmacy… which became the first gas station in the world. Though the pharmacist was initially skeptical about selling gas to such a loud machine, he filled her up and sent her on her way.

A signpost marks the spot in front of the still-standing pharmacy, which now serves as the starting point for the Bertha Benz Classic Car rally, held bi-annually on the first weekend in August.

The town also boasts a large pedestrian zone (some people just don’t like cars!) where you can relax and walk around the historic zone where the old stone walls of the town are still standing.