Barbara von Schnurbein

The "Türmer," as the residents of the old tower at Weissenstein Castle called themselves, were those who lived there, including the writer Siegfried von Vegesack, who resided in the tower from 1918 until his death in 1974. The Türmer were primarily the nieces and nephews who spent their holidays in the Bavarian Forest, as well as relatives who had been displaced from the Baltic region. Space was created for everyone in the five-story tower. Friends from the artistic community of Schwabing came to visit, and new friendships also formed in the Bavarian Forest. In their accounts, the Türmer of that time recall the post-war period, their holiday experiences at Pfahl, and the unique lifestyle and atmosphere in the old tower with their uncle Siegfried. All the rooms in the tower had names: Africa, Siberia, Hell, Paradise, and the always warm cooking box where the chimney ran through. The day began early but peacefully with a nudist breakfast before morning washing, and the host also appeared in a bathrobe. In 1940, he entered into a second marriage with Gabriele Ebermayer and started a new family with her. The volume is supplemented with information about the history of the entire castle complex, the dual naturalization process of the Vegesacks in 1919/20, and the three trips to South America made by the writer.