Actor-Led City Walk

A guided walk through Freiburg's old town.

Overview

A professional actor meets you in Freiburg's old town and stays in character for the whole walk, playing either Catharina Stadellmenin, known as the witch of Freiburg, or a 16th century harlot. You pick which character leads your tour when you book, though both follow the same route. The performance runs for an hour and a half and is conducted in German.

The route covers the old town's little streams, the Gerichtslaube or Old Court House, the medieval city gates, Rathausplatz and Adelhauser Klosterplatz. Along the way the character tells her own story and the darker chapters of the city's past, mixing facts with theatre. Reviews praise the engaging, theatrical guides and the way humour and clear facts bring the city's medieval past to life.

This suits travellers who want more than a standard sightseeing walk and are comfortable with the language requirement and the darker themes. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no pickup, so you make your own way to the meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet your characterThe meeting point depends on which character option you booked. The Witch of Freiburg and the Wandering Harlot start from different spots in the old town, so check the listing for your chosen option.
2. Old town streamsThe character introduces herself and the Freiburg she knows, with its little streams running through the streets.
3. Gerichtslaube and city gatesThe walk takes in the Gerichtslaube, the Old Court House, and the medieval city gates, which fit the stories of trials and punishment told along the way.
4. RathausplatzThe stately Rathausplatz is one of the stops named on the tour.
5. Adelhauser KlosterplatzAdelhauser Klosterplatz is another stop named on the tour.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk.

• Language. The tour is conducted in German only. If you do not follow German comfortably, much of the performance will be lost on you.
• Pace and fitness. This is a walking tour through the old town with no pickup, so you need to be comfortable on your feet for the full hour and a half.
• Group feel. Expect theatre rather than a lecture, with humour woven through the historical facts. Reviewers often mention the acting and the mix of entertainment with informative insights into the city's past.
• Weather. The tour runs rain or shine, according to the listing. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket if the forecast looks doubtful.
• Food and drink. Food and drinks are not included. Eat beforehand or plan a stop afterwards.
• Photographs. The route passes several of the old town's best known monuments, including the city gates and Rathausplatz.

Common issues. The main limitation is language: the tour is in German, so non German speakers will struggle to follow it. Some travellers also mention that the darker themes, witch trials and the history of prostitution, come with little guidance on age suitability, so families with young children should think carefully before booking. There is no pickup and no food or drink included, and the tour goes ahead in bad weather, which may not suit everyone. The meeting point can also vary by option, so confirm yours on the booking page.

Common Questions