- Paradeplatz - Your acquaintance with the witches and executioners of Zurich will begin from Paradeplatz.
You will see where exactly on this square the house of one of the executioners of Zurich was located and see his picture.
Moreover, you will learn some special details about this profession, for example, how executioners were trained.
- Börsenstrasse - Here you will see another place, where executioners of Zurich lived in the Middle Ages.
In addition, you will learn: what were the most “popular” types of executions, how much money the executioner received as a salary and how often the executions took place.
- Limmat - You will see the place, where the witches of Zurich have been tortured and understand how exactly this was done.
You will also hear the story of poor Elsbeth, who has been tortured there fifteen times over the course of twenty-six days.
- Fraumunster Church - You will see Fraumunster. This church is famous for its Marc Chagall stained-glass windows and we will tell you about one of them, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- Hans Waldmann Statue - You will see the monument to Hans Waldmann executed in Zurich in 1489 and learn, what was special about his life and death.
- Wasserkirche - You will see the Water Church and learn the legend about Felix and Regula beheaded next to this church for their Christian beliefs.
- Grossmunster - You will pass by Grossmunster, the starting point of the Swiss-German reformation and one of the Zurich’s main landmarks.
- Kirchgasse - You will see the place where in old times in Zurich the guidance on how to recognize and torture a witch was available. You will also learn details about the content of this guidance.
- Untere Zäune - You will see the house of one rich woman executed in Zurich for witchcraft and learn the story of her life.
- Neumarkt - You will see the former place of pillory.
- Obere Zäune - You will see the house of the judge working during the peak of the witch-hunt and learn his revenge story.
- Zürich’s Town Hall - Here you will learn about the process of prosecution in the Middle Ages and see the square where death sentences were announced.
- Täufergedenkplatte - You will see memorial plate where executions by drowning took place.
- Rennweg - You will see the house of the baker, who was supposed to give the “last sip” to people going to the execution.
- Herkulesbrunnen - You will see the place where those going to execution exited the city.
You will understand where people usually were burned and hanged.
- Tales of the city’s connection to witch-hunts and executions
- A clear, photo-filled route guide with detailed directions
- High-quality audio guide narrated by a professional with a deep voice
- You will need to have your own mobile phone with internet and headset
- If you decide to see the Fraumunster from inside, the visit will be subject to entrance fee of CHF 5
- There will be no live guide. Instead, you’ll explore the city using the link provided after booking
What springs to mind when Zurich is mentioned? Switzerland’s economic hub… A haven for bankers and consumers… Bustling streets filled with busy people…
We’re inviting you to experience a distinctively different Zurich.
Travel back half a millennium and picture a city steeped in medieval traditions. An executioner resides nearby, across the way a woman accused of sorcery is being led to her cell, and close-by, the city council deliberates over the punishment for a man guilty of stealing four sacks of salt.
Are you intrigued to discover where torture took place in Zurich, or the locations of public humiliation and execution? We will guide you through these significant sites linked with the city’s darker past, and share the true histories of the people involved. Hear about the stoicism displayed by beautiful Elsbeth, accused of witchery, during her suffering, the harsh execution of maid Adelheid, and the wealthy Agatha’s unsuccessful evasion of a death sentence.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
