The Tower Guards: An Entertaining Read and a Contribution to Cultural History

On September 1, Wilhelm “Willi” Stehling presented his new book, *Die Marburger Turmwächter* (The Marburg Tower Guards), at his former place of work. The former music, sports, and geography teacher at Steinmühle took the hundred guests on a journey back in time during his richly illustrated reading and made it clear that the tower guards had been watching over the city from the high castle tower since the Middle Ages, ensuring its safety. Day and night, they warned of fires, enemies, and other dangers, and used signals to announce all travelers approaching the city. At the same time, the tower guards—who served as princely castle and city musicians for centuries—were regarded as the most important representatives of instrumental music. These musical all-rounders performed at weddings, dances, church and civic events, as well as at courtly occasions.

Willi Stehling did more than just provide an introduction to the complex working lives of guards and musicians. In particular, the stories from the professional and personal lives of one or two colorful characters were highly entertaining and made it clear that with his book, Stehling has not only made an important contribution to the cultural history of Marburg, but has also produced an engaging read offering previously unknown insights into the city’s musical and social life.