Careless homeowners, roaming pub-goers, thieves and burglars - no, the "customers" that the night watchman has to take care of in his job do not necessarily belong to the crème de la crème of Trier's population. But someone has to do the job. And so, armed with a lantern and halberd, he walks through the dark streets of Trier to see if everything is in order. If necessary, the city guard is also at his disposal, but in most cases a few words of warning to remind those who have already found their way home to extinguish the candles will do. Or to chase everyone else off the road after ringing the rag bell on St Gangolf's church tower.

A night watchman has to be a bit rough-shod and grumpy by law – a man from the people who, back in the 19th century, were threatened by hunger and poverty in many ways. But beyond that, he knows some insider stories, historical anecdotes and blasphemous jokes to tell

Meeting point: Tourist Information Trier, at the Porta Nigra
Duration: approx. 90 minutes