Foto: BB.LV / В небольшом немецком городе Бад-Вимпфен ищут нового смотрителя знаменитой Голубой башни.
In the small German town of Bad Wimpfen, a new caretaker is being sought for the famous Blue Tower (Blauer Turm), built between 1160 and 1170. The structure, approximately 58 meters tall, rises above the ancient houses with tiled roofs and the Neckar River. The tower is considered one of the symbols of the town and has been preserved since the time of the imperial Staufer dynasty. The future caretaker will not only work in a historic building but will also live there permanently. A 53 square meter apartment is provided for this purpose. No rent will be charged; however, utility costs will need to be covered independently. Additionally, the caretaker will receive a portion of the revenue from ticket sales. ### Thirty Years of Life Between Heaven and Earth The story of the current tower caretaker deserves a separate tale. 75-year-old Blanca Knodel moved here in 1996 and over three decades transformed the medieval tower into a true family home. Moreover, she raised three children in it. As the woman recounted in an [interview published by The Epoch Times](https://epochru.com/travel/dostoprimеchatelnosti/zhizn-sovremennogo-smotritelya-drevnej-bashni-na-vysote-60-metrov-209159/), her family has long been connected to Bad Wimpfen. Once, the caretaker's apartment was home to her grandmother's sister.  Blanca initially only substituted for the previous caretaker during his illness. Then she decided to take on this unusual position and moved into the tower with her children. At that time, the apartment was practically one large room with white walls. The only separate room was the bathroom. Blanca had to show a lot of ingenuity to adapt the historic space for family life. Together with a friend, she undertook a redesign. Gradually, separate areas for the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and study appeared in the tower. Thus, the harsh medieval structure transformed into a cozy dwelling filled with family photographs, antique items, and memories. ### A Piano at the Top of 134 Steps One of the most amusing stories involves the transportation of an antique piano that is about 200 years old. To deliver the instrument to the apartment, the movers had to carry it up a narrow staircase, overcoming all 134 steps. When the exhausted men finally reached the destination, the owner decided to joke. "Something terrible has happened. This is not the piano," she declared. According to Blanca's recollection, the expressions on the movers' faces were priceless. No one expected such a prank from her. The apartment also houses numerous antique floor clocks. Each mechanism chimes in its own way, and the owner has learned to tell the time by the familiar chimes. ### What Does a Typical Day for the Caretaker Look Like? In the Middle Ages, the duties of a tower caretaker were much more serious. He had to watch the surroundings, notice the approach of enemies and fires in time, raise the alarm, and keep track of the hours. Today, everything is significantly calmer. The caretaker greets tourists, sells tickets, tells the history of the tower, and monitors its condition. However, work is closely intertwined with personal life. Blanca recalled how, during family lunch, the bell could ring, signaling the arrival of visitors. Then someone from the household would go to serve the tourists and then return to the table to continue eating. And this happened quite often. ### The Main Challenge — The Stairs Over the years of living in the tower, Blanca has gotten used to the unusual conditions. But even she admits that carrying groceries and other purchases up 134 steps is a dubious pleasure. There is no elevator here, so any return home requires physical effort. However, the owner assures that the advantages outweigh the inconveniences. At such a height, it is surprisingly quiet and peaceful, and the windows offer a magnificent panorama of the ancient town and the Neckar River. There is also another peculiar plus: random guests hardly ever drop by. According to Blanca, if a person has climbed all 134 steps, it means they really wanted to see her. ### Who Will Become the New Owner of the Tower? Now, the long-standing story of Blanca Knodel is coming to an end. Her last working day is set for January 10, 2027. The city authorities hope to find a new caretaker by March 1. Candidates are expected to be in good physical shape, responsible, friendly, and interested in the history of Bad Wimpfen. The new resident's duties will include welcoming visitors, selling tickets, and monitoring the condition of the historic structure.  ### Life Like in a Fairy Tale — But Not for Everyone A free apartment in a medieval tower with a panoramic view of the town may seem like an ideal offer. However, the romance is accompanied by quite earthly concerns: narrow stairs, the need to carry groceries upstairs, constant proximity to tourists, and responsibility for a historical monument. Yet, Blanca Knodel's story proves that even in a 12th-century tower, one can create a cozy family home, raise children, and live several happy decades. Perhaps somewhere there is already a person for whom 134 steps will not be an obstacle, but a daily journey home — to their own medieval fairy tale.
