Ladenburg is a town in northwestern Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It lies on the right bank of the river Neckar, 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Heidelberg and 10 km (6 mi) east of Mannheim. The town's history goes back to the Celtic and Roman Ages, when it was called . Emperor Trajan elevated it to city status ('civitas') in 98 AD. The historic old town and its Fachwerkhäuser date back to the Late Middle Ages when Ladenburg was the capital of the Prince-Bishopric of Worms. Famous residents include Carl Benz, inventor of the first automobile. The Bertha Benz Memorial Route, named after Carl's wife Bertha, runs through the town.