Anybody who meets the night-watchman in Schöneck might initially be struck by horror – it is an impressive experience as he walks around in his black cloak, hat and his halberd as a dummy weapon.

In the past, a night-watchman was there to protect a town – but today, Ralf Edler simply wants to keep this profession alive. He ties up his shoe laces several times a month to conduct tours through Schöneck – and they are always an experience that should not be missed. “Tourists and local people make use of them to the same degree – and many come more than once,” says the 57-year-old. About 30 interested people meet together each time – then he sets off with them in the darkness and leads them to places shrouded in legends; he is familiar with countless stories from the past and sings the night-watchman’s song – which has a different verse for each hour.

 “Listen you people for it is late, as the clock has now struck eight. Beware of fire and light so that no harm comes by day or night.”

Being the night-watchman at Schöneck is more than a hobby for Ralf Edler. He has been responsible for Eastern Germany in the German Guild of Night-Watchman, Tower-Watchmen and Special Figures since 2011. The guild has almost 200 members across Germany. Edler says,

“I’m the regional spokesman for the eastern region – and I’m really proud that I’ve been able to attract three major events to the Vogtland region during the next few years.”

The annual meeting of all night-watchmen is due to take place in Zwickau during the city’s major jubilee celebrations in 2018. The regional meeting of the eastern branch of the guild is planned to take place in Schöneck in 2020 – to coincide with the town’s 650th anniversary celebrations. Edler continues,

“And the guild has promised that it will hold its annual meeting in Plauen in 2022. As the town will be celebrating the first time that it was mentioned in official documents in 1122, that fits in so well, if 80 night-watchmen and tower-watchmen and other special figures are there too.”

“Many people ask me why I go to so much trouble as a night-watchman and also attend meetings at places all over Germany. But I’ve managed to publicise the Vogtland region, attract other events here and support the region,” says the Schöneck resident with a sense of conviction; he originally came from Saxony-Anhalt.

He started acting as a night-watchman seven years ago. Edler was awarded the title of “Honorary Artist of Schöneck” in 2012; and the mayor, Ise Suplie, handed over an honorary ribbon to him two years later. She is proud of Ralf Edler. “He’s drawn attention to Schöneck as far as tourism is concerned beyond the Vogtland region. And he not only breathes life into our town with his night-watchman tours.” What she really means is that he is constantly on the look-out for evidence to discover more about the town’s history. He then communicates this to people and ensures that the facts are not forgotten. In addition to his tours in the past, he is planning others where he can dress up as a tower-watchman. He has also newly developed the medieval beer cellar at the centre of the town and is currently setting up an exhibition there. Edler writes plays for the parish fair and gains inspiration from old local chronicles. He sometimes presents historic local ballads about Schöneck in a new form. He no longer watches out for fire and thieves as a modern night-watchman, but for the countless stories, which have left their mark on his town. The past is in good hands with him.