Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour

Be sure to come and join us this Halloween weekend! Come in costume and win a prize! (Something boozy for the adults…something sweet for the kids)

A unique hands-on historical and archaeological tour in English, researched and created by British archaeologist and historian David “Taff” Simon. Get to sample authentic medieval beers and handle original and reproduction artefacts.
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This is not a ghost tour – all the events – every single bone-crunching last one of them – actually happened.

Join Hans von Spanker (or his good pal Taff) to discover the awful truth about:

The Black Death and other nasties

Jewish history, trade and the influence of the Guilds

Dress and how it reflected class and standing

Medieval architecture and defences

Infamous witch trials

Traditions + folklore

Ancient burial rites

Why was beer so important? Try an authentic medieval brew!

Get to handle original artefacts and (blunt) weapons

Archaeology in Bavaria today

And much more besides….

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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….

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.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Some uneven surfaces – suitable footwear is a must. Wear clothing appropriate to the local conditions
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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
• 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
• 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 🙂 )
• 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
• Not recommended for travellers with an over vivid imagination

• Munich Macabre Group Walking Tour
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• Get to handle original ancient artefacts as well as replica medieval arms and armour.
• Led by an archaeologist and historian, not someone who has memorised a script by rote

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The tour leaves from the “Fish Fountain” which is located on the right hand corner of the New Town Hall in Marienplatz. If the weather is inclement, take shelter under the arches of the New Town Hall – you will still be able to see the guide by the Fish Fountain.

The costumed guide(s) will be carrying a sign reading “Munich Macabre”. We start at 6pm on Fridays and 4pm Saturday and Sunday and also at 4pm on Halloween (Monday 31st 2022): please try and arrive a few minutes early so we can cross you off the list. Should you find yourself running late, please text us on 0049 1765 900 1490. We are also on WhatsApp. We will be at our start point for a short time after the tour commences – but cannot guarantee a particularly long wait.

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Dark History Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Berlin.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 70 valid reviews on VIATOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.