Audio guide "The Dark Side of Zurich"
Upcoming dates
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What to expect
What do people usually say about Zurich? Switzerland's financial heart... The city of bankers and shoppers... The streets where everyone is in a hurry...
We invite you to get to know a radically different Zurich.
Think 500 years back and imagine a medieval city with medieval customs. An executioner lives somewhere nearby, across the street they are taking a woman suspected of witchcraft to prison, and not very far away the city council is deciding on how to execute the guy who stole four bags of salt.
Do you want to see and find out where people were tortured in Zurich and how, where the pillory was located and where executions took place? We will not only guide you through the key places associated with this dark side of the city, but also tell the true story of the real people. You will learn how stoically the beautiful Elsbeth, suspected of witchcraft, endured torture, how cruelly the maid Adelheid was executed, and how rich Agatha did not manage to escape a death sentence.
Along the way, you will also see the main sights of Zurich and find out where the executioner's house was located, why the stained glass window depicting the crucified Christ is green in Fraumünster Church, and who was executed near the Grossmünster building. You will also see the Town Hall where death sentences were announced and find out where a person could take the last sip of wine when going to the execution.
What you’ll see
- During the tour you will:
- see where the house of one of the executioners of Zurich was located and his picture, and also find out what salary the executioner received, which executions were the most “popular”, and how often they took place
- see the place where those suspected of witchcraft were tortured, and understand exactly how it was done
- hear the story of a woman who was tortured fifteen times during twenty-six days
- see Fraumünster - a church famous for its stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, and learn about one of them depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
- see the monument to Hans Waldmann, who was executed in Zurich in 1489, and find out what was special about his life and death
- see the Water Church and learn the legend about the brother and sister who were beheaded next to it for their faith
- see the Grossmünster - one of the main attractions of Zurich
- see the place where the guidance on how to recognize and torture a witch was available in the old Zurich, and learn details about the content of this book
- see the house of a wealthy woman who was executed in Zurich for witchcraft and hear the story of her life
- see the former place of the pillory
- see the house of the judge who worked during the peak time of the witch-hunt, and learn the story of his revenge
- learn about the prosecution process in the Middle Ages and see the square where death sentences were announced
- see a memorial plate where executions by drowning took place
- see the house of the baker, who gave the “last sip” to the people going to the execution
- see the place where those going to the execution exited the city, and understand where they were burned and hanged.
Included
- You will receive a link to a high-quality audio guide with a clear and thoughtful route, which contains only verified information and is read out by a professional speaker.
Not included
- You will need to have your own mobile phone and internet connection.", "If you decide to see Fraumünster not only from the outside, but also from the inside, then you will have to buy entrance tickets (CHF 5 per person, paid at the entrance to the church).
Meeting point
Start: Paradeplatz in Zurich
Finish: Herkules Fountain in Zurich
The exact address and guide contacts are sent after booking.