Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour
Munich, DE
100% of travellers recommend this
Highlights
- Hands-on historical and archaeological tour
- Sample authentic medieval beers
- Handle original and reproduction artefacts
- Discover the awful truth about the Black Death and other nasties
- Learn about the most vicious "Witch" trial in German history
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Duration 2.5 to 2.75 hours
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Led by archaeologist guide
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Includes medieval beer sampling
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Handle original artifacts
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Suitable for all fitness levels
Join us this Halloween weekend for a Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour like no other! Delve into the dark and mysterious side of Munich's history as you uncover the chilling truths behind the Black Death, infamous witch trials, and ancient burial rites. Led by the charismatic Hans von Spanker (or his good pal Taff), this hands-on historical and archaeological tour will immerse you in the horrors of the past. Explore medieval architecture and defences, learn about Jewish history and trade, and discover the significance of beer in Bavarian culture with a taste of authentic medieval brews. Get up close and personal with original artefacts and weapons, handle ancient coins, and be captivated by intriguing tales of folklore and tradition. Don't miss out on this spine-tingling experience that will leave you awestruck and thirsty for more!
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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2 hours 30 minutes
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Available in English
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Wheelchair accessible
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Mobile voucher
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Small Group tour
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Guided
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Discover Munich's dark history on a unique walking tour, sampling medieval beers and handling artifacts with expert guides this Halloween weekend.
Included
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Alcoholic beverages -
Led by an archaeologist and historian, not someone who has memorised a script by rote
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Get to handle original ancient artefacts as well as replica medieval arms and armour.
Excluded
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Gratuities
Meeting Point
We meet at the Fish Fountain, located on the right hand corner of the New Town Hall / Glockenspiel on Marienplatz. Guide has a sign and is in costume
Marienplatz 8, 80331 München , Germany
End Point
We meet at the Fish Fountain, located on the right hand corner of the New Town Hall / Glockenspiel on Marienplatz. Guide has a sign and is in costume
Marienplatz 8, 80331 München , Germany
What to expect
Munich Marienplatz
Marienplatz: the ancient market square of Munich. Meet your guide, archaeologist and historian Taff Simon and kick off the tour with a brief overview of the origins of the city and the why it looks the way it does today.
15 minutes
Landschaftstraße
Today fairly unremarkable, it occupies an area which ran alongside the Medieval Jewish quarter. Here we learn a little about how the community contributed to the economic and cultural life of the city and how they suffered with baseless accusations of "Blood Libel", of spreading the Black Death and of aiding and abetting criminals and witches. We learn about how recent archaeological excavations as part of a new U-Bahn project has contributed to our understanding of this part of Munich.
20 minutes
St Peter's: the oldest church in Munich - so it must have the oldest graveyard, right? Learn how to decipher symbols on gravestones and discover the ancient burial rites of the earliest Bavarians up to more recent times, where "Rest in peace" more often than not meant "Rest in pieces". Class, trade and the Guilds are also discussed, as reflected in the gravestones and architectural features of the church. Get to handle and examine original ancient coins - which would have been given as Alms Note: this stop uses as examples of Dark Age/early Medieval burial rites photos of archaeological excavations that the guide has been involved with (typically on construction sites). This is a sensitive subject but we take the view that the educational value of showing some examples of how the ancients treated their dead and how it can inform us of their religious beliefs and social structure, on balance, is worthwhile. The issue of gravegoods like jewelry and weaponry in graves is also discussed.
25 minutes
Viktualienmarkt
Today this is a lovely framers market: the locals buy their pretzels and cheese before throwing back a few cold ones in the popular beer garden. In the medieval times though you would be very unfortunate to find yourself here...an outcast no less.Find out why... Here guests also get to try authentic Medieval beer (samples, not full ones sorry!) and learn about the terrible penalties for making bad beer and pretzels.
25 minutes
Alter Hof
The Alter Hof was originally a castle for the Wittelsbacher; the Bavarian Royal family. Here we learn about a murder which shocked medieval Europe and the repercussions this would have for subsequent generations of Müncheners . Following on from the subject of murder we consider some aspects of Medieval combat, drawing on the theories of Hans Talhoffer, legendary late medieval sword master. Get to handle replica swords and perhaps some armour too. Time permitting, we look at a fascinating archaeological discovery made here in 1944 when an Allied bomb inadvertently unearthed some seriously ancient artefacts. Get to handle and compare different types of ancient pottery and other artefacts.
30 minutes
The most vicious "Witch" trial in German history was conducted here in central Munich. Learn about the background to it, the charges, the methods used to gather "evidence" and the subsequent fate of that most unlucky of families, the Pappenheimers. The events that played out here would have far reaching consequences... felt as far away as a little town in colonial Massachusetts....
25 minutes
Munich Marienplatz
We end the tour here in the same place as we started. We sum up, recommend further reading and can make suggestions for places to eat and drink in the neighbourhood.
5 minutes
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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At some stops, seating at available but at other places it is not. If this is an issue, please inform us at the time of booking and we will slightly adapt the route - at no cost to the content - to try and accommodate you. We cannot, however, guarantee that other members of the public are not already in the seats we had earmarked. -
Important: This tour is only offered in English. For German language tours we recommend you check out the Weis(s)er Stadtvogel. Their offering is not the same superb hands-on tour with anecdotes and bad jokes from a time-served archaeologist in odd clothes as ours.....but it is still very good. (They do however have their own odd clothes :-) )
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In particularly bad weather, or due to other events out of our hands - such as musical concerts or political rallies/protests which bar our regular route we reserve the right to change our route. Whilst every effort in made to choose an alternative route which still allows us to discuss the advertised historical themes in the locations where they occurred , on occasion we might have to go light on some and add more to another
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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Not recommended for travellers with an over vivid imagination
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On tours where guests are all adults, the pitch of the tour may reflect this: whilst we will be covering some important history, this is not a lecture
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Service animals allowed
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Some of the content is not really suitable for particularly young children. By all means bring them and we will try and temper some of the more descriptive elements
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Some uneven surfaces - suitable footwear is a must. Wear clothing appropriate to the local conditions
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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This is an English language walking tour. If mobility and/or speed is an issue, please let us know at the time of booking so that we may slightly adjust the route
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Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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We aim to offer at least two historical beverages; these are just samples. Due to occasional supply issues we might have to substitute them for more modern styles. Nonetheless, they will still illustrate the part of the tour which deals with the history of brewing in Munich
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Wheelchair accessible
What our experts say
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Dress in costume for a prize! -
Wear sturdy shoes for uneven paths.
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Enjoy lunch at nearby Viktualienmarkt.
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Explore the Old Town after the tour.
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Check out local pubs for more beers.
More About this Experience
Introduction
Welcome to the Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour, a unique and immersive experience that will transport you back in time to explore the darker side of Munich's history. Led by British archaeologist and historian David "Taff" Simon, this tour offers a hands-on journey into the macabre past of this fascinating city.What to expect?
Prepare to delve into the secrets of Munich's past as you uncover the truth behind infamous events such as the Black Death, witch trials, and ancient burial rites. Discover the influence of guilds, explore the significance of medieval dress, and learn about the city's architecture and defenses. This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Munich's history, providing a deeper understanding of its culture and traditions.Who is this for?
The Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, curious travelers, and anyone with a taste for the macabre. Whether you're a solo traveler, a group of friends, or a family looking for an educational and entertaining experience, this tour is suitable for all.Why book this?
What sets the Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour apart is the expertise and passion of our guide, David "Taff" Simon. As an archaeologist and historian, Taff brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to every step of the tour. You can expect a hands-on experience, handling original ancient artifacts and replica medieval arms and armor. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to sample authentic medieval beers, immersing yourself in the tastes of the past.Good to know
This tour is not your typical ghost tour. Every bone-crunching event that will be discussed actually happened, giving you a real insight into the dark history of Munich. The tour begins at the Fish Fountain on Marienplatz, where our guide will be waiting in costume, ready to take you on a journey through time. Please note that gratuities are not included in the tour price.Reviews
Travelers who have experienced the Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour have been captivated by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide, David "Taff" Simon. They praise the hands-on experience of handling artifacts and the opportunity to try authentic medieval brews. Many have found this tour to be a unique and educational way to explore Munich's history, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for the city's rich cultural heritage. Overall, feedback has been highly positive, with participants highly satisfied with the performance and delivery of the tour.
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