A Serendipitous Encounter in Wetzlar: Discovering Heritage Through My Lens
A Walk That Wasn’t Meant to Happen… Until It Did
On Saturday, we planned a trip to the Leica headquarters in Wetzlar- a place I’ve come to love for both it’s elegance and its significance in the world of photography.
A year ago, I had tried the Leica Q3 43mm lens, but at that time, I was just starting out on this creative journey. Back then, the camera felt… distant, maybe even too precise for someone still learning to trust their instinct.
But now - more confident, more curious, and deeply connected to what I create, I wanted to try again.
Maybe it would feel different this time. I grabbed the Q3, (since my husband already bought it for himself) with its fixed 43mm lens and also packed my trusted Fujifilm X-T5 (just in case, but hoping I won’t be needing it this time).
When we arrived at Leica, our hopes were quickly dashed. It turned out to be the 100th anniversary celebration - and only invited guests were allowed in. I had been so excited to capture the interior and architectural beauty of the facility with the Q3, but it wasn’t meant to be. Our 3 years old was buzzing with excitement and wasn’t ready to go back home just yet.
So, we decided to head into Wetzlar’s Old Town. And that was where the magic unfolded.
A Serendipitous Turn
The moment we stepped into the city centre, we were greeted by something far richer than expected. The sound of orchestral music filled the square - performed beautifully by the Wetzlar police orchestra. People had gathered , captivated by the melodies that danced through the streets. The sun poured gently over charming shopfronts, cafés, and galleries that dotted every corner.
I had the Leica Q3 in hand and captured a few shots of the performance and atmosphere… but something felt off. Just like the first time, I wasn’t connecting. The camera is extraordinary, but it didn’t spark the feeling I chase when I create. Every click felt like I was trying too hard to make something happen. Eventually, I accepted it: today wasn’t a Leica day.
I reached for my Fujifilm - and that familiar comfort came flooding back.
A Moment Meant For Me
As my son wandered into a quaint boutique shop, hoping to find a toy car, my husband and I followed. Inside he found a little horse carousel he couldn’t resist. I smiled and told my husband I’d just step out for a few minutes to look around.
And right there - directly across the street, stood the most magnificent building. Its warm, red façade was adorned with intricate bronze reliefs, gold lettering, and elegant architectural curves. It felt as though this building had been waiting quietly for me to notice it.
With my Fujifilm in hand, I raised the camera and that connection returned instantly. I must have stood there for half an hour, framing it from different angles, capturing the light, the shadows, the timelessness of its presence. I watched people pass by and stopped to admire it too. I felt a sense of reverence - like I had stumbled upon something sacred.
An Interaction and Connection to Heritage
As I was photographing, a lovely woman approached me. With a warm friendly smile on her face - she asked if I captured beautiful pictures of the house. Responding and sharing how fascinating I found the building - she introduced herself as the owner of the house. Gracefully switching to English so I could understand her better, she shared her story. She revealed that she and her husband acquired the building over 20 years ago and have spent years lovingly restoring it - respecting its legacy while breathing new life into it.
I learnt from her that the building was a registered German heritage site. Everything suddenly made sense -the presence, the care, the timeless dignity it radiated. It wasn’t just architecture; it was LEGACY. And somehow, without knowing anything before, I had felt that pull.
We spoke briefly but her words stayed with me. She and her husband didn’t just purchase a property, they became caretakers of history. And in doing so, they added their chapter to a much larger story.
A Glimpse Into the Past
The building is known as the Schwann Apotheke, and it has a lineage as grand as its appearance.
1701: The earliest pharmacy at this site was established, with the city of Wetzlar granting pharmacist Johann Friedrich Marchthaller the privilege to build the Apotheke zum Schwan (‘‘Swan Pharmacy’’).
1779: The original building burned down.
1911: The current building was constructed by pharmacist Georg Bahr. He commissioned architects Fritz Beyer and Max Nierenhoff to redesign it in the grand early 20th-century style it still bears today.
Architectural Beauty: The façade features arched windows, an elegant iron balustrade, and golden swan insignia.
Three ornate medallions on the upper floor depict allegorical pharmacy symbols and the Bahr family crest (a woman riding a bear).
The steep gabled roof nods to Baroque revival architecture, with every detail chosen with intention and pride.
The building is now officially listed as a protected monument by the state of Hesse - a living testament to centuries of history, preservation, and the soul of a city.
Today the Pharmacy is now a cute Home and Living boutique store, but still maintaining it’s original exterior design with SCHWANEN APOTHEKE GORG-BAHR in original gold lettering still up.
Why This Matters to Me?
This encounter reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. It is not about the perfect shot - it is about the pause, the unexpected moment of discovery, and the feeling that something or someone is sharing a story through silence.
This building didn’t speak through plaques or brochures. It revealed itself through presence - and through the kindness of the woman who entrusted me with a glimpse into her life’s chapter.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, inspiration doesn’t come from where you expect it. I didn’t get to photograph Leica building. I didn’t fall in love with the Leica Q3. But I did fall in love - with a building, a moment, and the reminder that beauty lives in what you don’t plan.
In a way, I think the building found me.