For its 25^th edition, Germany’s largest guided tour marathon (“Stadt(ver-)führungen” = “tempting” city tours) was carried out under the motto “Treasures”.

New Acropolis Nuremberg contributed to this cultural program of over 1000 activities with a series of lectures called “Treasures between sky and earth” starting off with a statue of the Greek god Hermes high up on a gable of a 19^th century commercial building.

The focus of all speeches was on the meaning and symbolism of the statues. Hermes in particular is commonly known as the protector of merchants and travellers, obviously adequate for Nuremberg. Yet there is a deeper understanding of this deity who actually creates connections and knows how to unite what at first glance seems to be opposed. This is a very valuable ability in times of separatism and goes well beyond material wellfare.

Along this line, we highlighted the ethical significance of the goddess Fortuna and the female city patron Noris, both to be seen on a nearby facade.

Thereafter, we reached the “Fountain of virtue”, which has been inspiring both inhabitants and visitors for over 400 years. It is the goddess Iustitia there that oversees the allegories of both ancient and Christian virtues.

Finally, we touched ground at the famous “Beautiful Fountain”. There it is eight philosophers who bring ethic and wisdom to the people.

As a school of practical philosophy we were grateful that we could “seduce” a well interested audience of some 120 people towards the messages of ethic, morale and wisdom.