“The Myth and Majesty of the Methusalem Linden Tree”

The linden is a legendary, mystically charged tree. Even the Germans worshiped them, attributed them to the goddess Freya and saw them as a symbol of love, happiness and fertility. The lime tree can become very old, often over 800 years. Such an old example is in Irschenberg, clearly visible from the vantage point at the motorway exit. Just for classification: when this linden tree began to sprout, the Nibelungenlied was written, as was the knight epic “Parzival”. In comparison, a youngster is her close relative in Fridolfing, on the right in the picture. A celebrity in the community, a popular model with tourists and day trippers. It is said to be “only” around 500 years old, but it has not only survived both World Wars, but also the Peasants’ and Napoleonic Wars. For Arbor Day, the home newspaper took a closer look at the history of the Fridolfingen “Methusalem” linden tree, talked about its special features with district consultant Markus Breier and examined its importance in medicine and mythology.