We’re grateful for bringing our attention to the Watchman of Ystad who blows his copper horn to signal the time from 21.15 to 01.00 nightly from the tower of St:a Maria Church.
A single note is blown every fifteen minutes, to each of the town’s four cardinal points to assure the citizens that ‘All’s well’.
Although the tradition dates back many hundreds of years, no one knows exactly when the signal originated. It is known that a Watchman worked in the town during the 17th century when the present church tower was built.
Originally the Watchman’s job was to warn the townspeople of invasion by land or sea or report fires by blowing his horn.
He now telephones the emergency services should a problem occur.