Night Watchmen, Night Lights, Chamber Pots - A Dark History!

Description

The night watchman was one of the little respected professions. He only had to stay awake and blow his horn. Night watchmen were social outcasts and often addicted to alcohol. The night became day, so night watchmen were overtired and absent-minded during the day and did not seem particularly bright.

The night was frightening. It was the time of ghosts, the wild hunt, and nightmares. Protective measures were important for sleeping. People slept on a feather bed or a sack filled with leaves, usually supported by several pillows, almost sitting. On journeys, it was common to share the bed with complete strangers. Everyone, regardless of status, used the chamber pot. This avoided long arduous “trips.” It was emptied vigorously out of the window.

As early as 1845, the Solothurn government decided to install 26 oil lamps. This allowed the sleepwalker to recognize: the market square must be near the little light. Shortly after, gas lighting was introduced in 1860. The newly built railway transported coal to Solothurn, and the gasworks produced the gas needed for the street lamps. Now the lamplighter stomped from lamp to lamp to light the gas mantles, “as lighting is advisable for safety in present times”!

In 1886, Josef Müller bought the power plant at Oesch and had an 8 km long power line built. Such a thing had never been attempted before. Until then, factories that needed hydropower had to be built near streams or rivers. The light bulb had come onto the market in 1880, and already in 1896, the first electric arc lamp illuminated the main street.

Experience the dark night full of dangers on a tour with night watchman Egger, as it was felt and probably was in the past. This amusing and educational time travel guarantees entertainment value and is interrupted by a stop to warm up. There, you can learn how to handle flint and steel.

Highlights

• Tours through the dark history of the night in Solothurn
• Insight into the role of the night watchman and historical lighting techniques
• Historical anecdotes about life at night in the 19th century

General Information

The event leads through the Baseltor in Solothurn and illuminates the history of the night and its technologies. Visitors learn more about the work of the night watchmen and the development of street lighting in the 19th century.

Location

Hauptgasse 83, 4500 Solothurn, Schweiz

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