As Laachus leaves the Hochstein in Obermendig—with its impressive cave—behind him, he feels how tired he is. Yawning loudly, he looks for a spot in the 15-hectare Thürer Wiesen nature reserve. No sooner has he stretched out under a tree than his eyes close.

“Strange,” he thinks, almost asleep, “the ground is vibrating, and what’s snorting over there?” Laachus opens his eyes again and looks straight into the friendly face of a water buffalo. “Who do we have here?” asks the water buffalo.

“I’m Laachus, a floating stone, and you?” “I’m a Carpathian water buffalo, and I tend this nature reserve with my herd.” “So you’re the lawnmowers here!” Laachus observes. “Exactly,” the buffalo confirms. Laachus tells him he wants to know why he can swim. “Ask at the Fraukirch in Thür,” the buffalo mumbles, chewing his cud, “at this mystical place you will find help—just like Genoveva.” “Genoveva? Who is that?” Laachus wants to know. “The former Countess Palatine. She lived in a cave in the forest with her son for six years and three months.” “I found that cave; I was even inside it,” Laachus chimes in excitedly. The buffalo remains unperturbed and continues: “The Virgin Mary sent her a doe to nurse the child. After his wife was saved, Count Palatine Siegfried built the Fraukirch in Thür as a token of gratitude.” Curious, Laachus bids farewell to the water buffaloes and immediately visits the church, first mentioned in the 13th century. He also takes a close look at the cross of the evil knight Golo, who is responsible for Genoveva’s fate. When he finally leaves the church, a young doe is already waiting for him. “You will find the answer to your question,” says the magnificent animal, “just walk to the Baroque church in Saffig; the carved cherubs on the high altar will show you the way.” And so Laachus continues on his way through the legendary volcanic region of Lake Laach to find out why he can swim.

Location info: 

Water buffalo at Thürer Wiesen, near B256, 56743 Thür 

Fraukirch in Thür, near Reginarisbrunnen 1, 56743 Mendig

Baroque Church in Saffig, near Hauptstraße, 56648 Saffig