A tower of silence in the murmur of the stream

by Walter G. Allgöwer

On the banks of the Ostertalbach stream, hidden in a wild ravine in the Gunzesried valley, stands this fragile cairn - a silent sign of the human hand at play with nature. Here, where the water of the Allgäu rushes over stones with untiring force, a sculpture of balance and patience rears up. Four stones, placed one on top of the other, defy the laws of gravity as if they were holding their breath in order to capture a moment of eternity in perfect balance.
The murmur of the stream accompanies this fragile work of art like a melody that emphasises its transience. Any gust of wind, any strong current could cause the work to collapse - and yet it stands, firm and light at the same time, a symbol of the harmony between gravity and suspension, between steadfastness and fragility.
In the heart of the Oberallgäu, where Bavaria shows its wild, untamed side, the cairn blends quietly into the landscape. It speaks of mindfulness and devotion, of the desire to create a moment of order in the chaos of nature. In this way, this small tower becomes more than just stones placed on top of each other: it is a meditation on balance, an image of calm in the constant flow of life.