Witches, Torture Drama Tour

A guided walk through Freiburg's old town.

Overview

A costumed actor with a lantern meets you on Rathausplatz and, over the next 1.5 hours, tells the story of Catharina Stadellmenin, a woman accused of witchcraft in Freiburg in 1599. This is a dramatized walk rather than a dry lecture. The guide performs the story in character, covering the accusation, the imprisonment, the interrogations and the question of how it ended, while leading the group to the actual places where these events unfolded.

The route runs through the pedestrian zone and past the Gerichtslaube, along Schiffstraße and Münsterplatz, and out to Martinstor and Fischerau, finishing at Holzmarkt. Along the way the guide weaves in the fates of other women caught in the same persecutions, which in the Breisgau region continued until 1751, far later than most people assume. Everything is seen from the outside; no interiors are visited.

One important practical point: the tour is conducted in German. It is aimed at adults and teenagers with a genuine interest in history, and the operator warns that the content is dark, dealing with torture and execution. Travellers who want an unusual, theatrical angle on the city, rather than a standard sightseeing walk, are the ones this suits best.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on RathausplatzThe meeting point is in front of the main entrance to St. Martin's Church, opposite the tourist information office. The guide is recognizable by their costume and lantern.
2. GerichtslaubeThe walk begins at this historic stop, with the guide narrating the story in character from the first minutes.
3. Am Predigertor and SchiffstraßeThe route continues to further stations tied to the story, with the guide narrating in character along the way.
4. MünsterplatzThe group passes through the square as the story of the accused women continues.
5. Martinstor and FischerauThe walk heads toward the former city gates and the street where some of the accused lived.
6. Finish at HolzmarktThe tour ends at Holzmarkt. From here you continue on your own.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what helps to know before you book this walk.

• German only. The tour is delivered in German. Travellers without solid German will struggle to follow the dramatized narration, so check the language on the booking page before committing.
• Dress for weather. The tour runs rain or shine and stays outdoors the whole time. One reviewer reported standing through the stops in freezing cold, so warm layers in winter are a real consideration.
• Adult pace and content. The operator describes the tour as intended for adults and teenagers interested in history. One reviewer said it suits adults and fit teenagers rather than small children, given the density of the storytelling.
• A performance, not a lecture. Reviewers consistently praise the actor's delivery, calling it lively, entertaining and authentic. Expect storytelling in costume with a lantern, not a conventional guided commentary.
• Outdoor stops only. The route stays in the pedestrian zone and all buildings are seen from the outside. No interiors are visited, so there is no need for entry tickets anywhere along the way.
• Easy walking. The route covers central Freiburg on foot over 1.5 hours, ending at Holzmarkt. Plan to walk back to your starting point afterwards, since the tour does not loop to Rathausplatz.

Common issues. The tour is in German only, which is the main barrier for international visitors. The subject matter is deliberately dark, covering torture and execution, and the operator includes a trigger warning; it is not pitched at young children. Because everything happens outdoors, bad weather is felt directly, and one reviewer described standing in minus 6 degree cold during the stops. Some travellers also mention that slower, clearer delivery would help with understanding, given the density of the storytelling.

Common Questions