Where a Monkey used to live

Title: Where a Monkey used to live

Photographer: Marcus Danz

Location: Münster, Germany 

Year taken: 2018

Image description: Somewhat hidden away in Münster lies the romantic ”Tuckesburg“, built in 1892 by Hermann Landois next to the zoological gardens he founded 20 years earlier.

Background story: Since the anecdotes about the builder are far more interesting than the creation of this picture, I would like to report here on his somewhat quirky escapades:

The avowed bird lover founded an anti-cat association and had chosen a stuffed monkey as his permanent companion and roommate in the ”Tuckesburg“. According to historical sources, this monkey was repeatedly offered alcohol during its lifetime, so that it eventually died of a drunkard's liver. Count Tucks, as Landois called himself, was not particularly alarmed by the monkey’s death, as he continued to water his horse with beer.

While he was still alive, he unveiled a monument dedicated to himself, showing him with a large pipe, a long black skirt and a huge top hat. In this attire, he liked to be driven around Münster in a wicker carriage pulled by two billy goats. 

But I would be doing Landois injustice if I were to reduce him to these quirks only. After all, he was both an ordained (later suspended) priest and a professor of zoology.

This man, who apparently lived on the fine line between science and madness, was certainly an asset to any conversation - I certainly would have liked to have met him.