Witch hunts, devil’s tricks and haunted clocks—oh my! Experience Germany’s spooky legends in these historic cities
You don't have to wait for the Halloween season to get shivers down your spine at one of these medieval German tourist attractions.
"Inside this golden statue is his skull."
Regina Poth, my guide, said it so casually I almost missed it. But the shock made me whip my head around.
We were sitting outside the 1,200-year-old Aachen Cathedral, its spires casting long shadows over the square. Poth flipped through a binder of portraits showing Emperor Charlemagne as imagined by artists. No one really knows today what he looked like before he died, she told me. What we do know: He was said to be seven feet tall (though “feet” were smaller then), and he had a surprisingly high-pitched voice. I pictured him, a towering figure with a thick neck, wrapped in armor, the man who unified Europe by baptizing — or, perhaps more accurately, slaughtering — the pagans.
“All the artists painted what they thought an emperor should be,” Poth said, pointing to a photograph of a broad-shouldered figurine. Even the 14th-century golden statue holding the remains of Charlemagne's skull, which Poth also pointed to spiritedly, was a guess.
Such a large man with an unusual voice, now reduced to bones sealed in gold. What an eerie thought. Today, you can visit Charlemagne’s remains inside an ornate shrine at Aachen Cathedral, surrounded by sky-high panels of shimmering stained glass. I recently toured this spot during a one-week marathon vacation covering three of Germany’s Historic Highlights. The Historic Highlights are a group of 17 heritage cities with footprints that define German history, culture and traditions. These cities are full of medieval wonders, near-ancient structures, festive markets and local cuisine made by families that have been connected to their land for millennia (unlike the descendants of European settlers in the U.S.).
But today, in honor of “spooky” season fast approaching, we’re focusing on the eerie and macabre. With darker nights on their way and a thinner veil between us and the spirits (if you believe in that sort of thing), now is the perfect time to explore Germany's oldest legends, from witch hunts to cursed clocks.
If you’re in the mood for a chill down your spine, here’s where to begin.
Touch the devil’s thumb at Aachen Cathedral
Stick your hand inside the wolf figurines protecting the doors at Aachen Cathedral, and what will you feel? Legend says you'll touch the devil’s thumb. According to local lore, the townspeople tricked the devil into helping build the cathedral by promising him the first soul to enter it. But nobody specified whether that soul would be a human or an animal. So they sent in a wolf, which made the devil furious. In his anger, he tried to slam the door but got his thumb stuck in the knocker. Today, tourists come from far and wide to see if they can feel the eerie remnant.
Say hello to beheaded saints at Bonn Minster
European history is full of power struggles, but this one is extra gruesome. Bonn Minster, one of Germany's oldest churches, sits atop the grave of Saints Cassius and Florentius. According to legend, these Roman soldiers were beheaded for converting to Christianity and refusing to worship the emperor as God. Today, you can visit the church and wander down below into the dimly lit crypt, though you'll want to be mindful, as it is a place of pilgrimage and deep reverence for believers. The ancient stone walls and quiet atmosphere evoke a palpable sense of history, which indeed sent my imagination spinning.
Face the unsettling mockery of an eye-rolling clock in Koblenz
The Eye Roller Clock, or Augenroller, is a strange and fascinating attraction. Based on the legend of a robber sentenced to death, the clock features a face that rolls its eyes and sticks out its tongue every fifteen minutes. This mocking clock has become a curious sight for visitors, offering a bit of eeriness in the town’s otherwise charming historical landscape. Watching the clock’s antics feels like stepping into a living piece of Koblenz’s history, but it certainly makes you wonder just how many people were executed in the places we live our everyday lives.
Relive the witch hunts of the middle ages in Trier
Forget Salem — in the late 15th century, Trier, Germany was even more infamous for its brutal witch hunts. Thousands of individuals were accused of consorting with the devil and sentenced to death. Legend has it, churches used to take turns ringing their bells to ward off the evil spirits of witches flying through the night sky. Today, visitors can explore parts of the city where these tragic events unfolded with a guide who can shed light on the superstitious fear and hysteria that swept through Europe. It was especially bad during times of famine and epidemics when institutions blamed and accused anyone with an "improper lifestyle" for being in cahoots with the devil. Trier’s witch trial legacy offers a sobering reminder of humankind's dark side in Germany's oldest city.
Escape the 'Little Rascal' fountain in Koblenz
Spooky season is about playfulness, not just the macabre. The Sch?ngelbrunnen, also known as the Little Rascal Fountain, is a quirky and fun fixture in Koblenz. While it's not technically haunted, it feels that way. The figure, a bronze boy who spits water at random, keeps tourists and locals on their toes with unpredictable water spurts, which add a playful element to the city’s historical landscape. Installed in the courtyard of Koblenz’s town hall, the fountain honors the mischievous spirit of the "Sch?ngel," a term linked to the town’s French-German heritage. The term originated when Koblenz was part of France during the early 1800s. German-French children were often named “Jean,” which became “Schang” in the local dialect. Over time, “Schang” evolved into “Sch?ngel,” which people seem to have embraced as a symbol of wit and humor. The spontaneity of these water bursts, which leave visitors laughing and soaked, almost gives the fountain a life — or dare I say, spirit? — of its own.
Feel the spirits of knights at Stolzenfels Castle in Koblenz
Stolzenfels Castle is a medieval fortress perched high above the Rhine River, nestled in the 40-mile stretch designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its historic towns and vineyards. Walking into the Great Knight's Hall put sparkles in my eyes (the architecture is so gorgeous!), but I also had a low-key eerie feeling. Maybe I've watched too many Halloween cartoons, but seeing full-body armor just makes my imagination believe someone (like the ghost of a knight!) is hiding inside. I kept looking for eyeballs through the slits in the face masks. And while I can't speak for others with less robust imaginations, I swear I could sense the presence of the knights who once defended the armory. The castle’s winding halls and dimly lit chambers add to the mysterious atmosphere, making it easy to imagine the lives of those who inhabited the fortress centuries ago. But don't let that scare you; Stolzenfels Castle is also quite romantic! King Frederick William IV, who was said to be deeply inspired by his love for Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria, designed the castle with his queen in mind. Look closely and you'll see Bavarian flag colors throughout the grounds, a subtle, heartfelt tribute to his love.
Visit a bloody emperor's remains in Aachen Cathedral
Inside Aachen Cathedral sits Charlemagne’s shrine, a relic of immense historical significance. While religiously inclined tourists have journeyed to the cathedral for spiritual pilgrimages for years, I went without proper preparation. Never once did I expect to visit bones this year (it wasn't on my 2024 bingo card, as they say ...), but when my tour guide explained this golden container holds the verified, 1,200-year-old bones of the first Holy Roman Emperor, I had to take a minute to process this fact. It's true that the American mind cannot comprehend European antiquity, but being in the presence of so many dead emperor bones really "sealed" this understanding for me (get it — like a sarcophagus?).
So there you have it: From trickster fountains to eerie relics, Germany’s past lives on. You might not find this side of history in the textbooks, but it's certainly found in the stones and stories that surround us. I suppose just one question remains: Are we simply visitors in this historical drama, or do we carry pieces of our spooky and playful past forward with us as we journey along? Either way, the spine-tingling vibe of these historic legends is a reminder that, sometimes, the past isn't as distant as it seems.
The author’s passion for every trip she writes about is sincere. Some trips may be hosted, but hosting organizations have no control over articles before they're published.
Megan DeMatteo is an independent journalist, editor and creative writer currently based in New York City. She has written for Dwell, Fodor's Travel, Sherwood News, Marie Claire, Insider and more. Her first trip abroad was to Costa Rica, and she's since studied in Valparaíso, Chile and Dublin, Ireland, where she performed a séance in Oscar Wilde's former dorm room.
