Haunted Germany

By Thomas Faßbinder

Germany is haunted. Its legends and its landscapes are populated by creatures of the night.
They can be found in ruined castles, old inns and venerable mansions. They dwell in time-forgotten cemeteries and lure hikers to their doom in the moors. At the bottom of rivers, lakes and seas they wait patiently for their victims. They roam storm-tossed fields and forests in the mute hope that a human will meet them. And if they really want to, they will also find their way into your bedroom. Through the keyhole if they have to.
This book contains around 2600 haunted places from all over Germany, along with their eerie legends.
Wherever you happen to be in Germany. The other world is never far away...

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: Aug 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9783989117884

Book preview

Foreword

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the basic feeling that stands at the cradle of true art and science. He who does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is, so to speak, dead and his eye extinguished.

Albert Einstein

Germany is haunted. Its legends and its landscapes are populated by creatures of the night.

They can be found in ruined castles, old inns and venerable mansions. They dwell in time-forgotten cemeteries and lure wanderers to their doom in the moors. At the bottom of rivers, lakes and seas they wait patiently for their victims. They roam storm-tossed fields and forests in the mute hope that a human will meet them. And if they really want to, they will also find their way into your bedroom. Through the keyhole, if need be.

Wherever you are in Germany at the moment. The other world is never far away...

I was not yet ten years old, but I still remember the evenings when the relatives gathered at grandma and grandpa's for birthdays or holidays. We children were also allowed to stay up late. Well, it probably wasn't that late, but it seemed late to me at least.

Things always seem a little different at night, and along with the darkness, the mysterious and mysterious also spreads. And so the conversations also changed. In the stories of the old people, the subject often came up: hauntings. Stories of restless spirits, haunted houses and people who were in league with the devil.

I absorbed the atmosphere of those nights and their stories. Since then, the mysterious has never left me.

However, something soon struck me: these evenings seemed to be a kind of bubble. Because in the world out there, the subject of hauntings was and is somewhat different. Haunted stories are laughed at, ignored or only allowed to children. And even those who are interested hardly know anything about the haunted places on their doorstep.

What a contrast to the amount of stories I had heard! And what a contrast to, say, the British Isles, where these tales are cherished to this day. So something didn't fit here.

So the idea of a German ghost atlas was born, to provide information for interested people and perhaps to awaken a little interest in these stories and to encourage them to visit the places, some of which are well worth seeing.

At first I thought that this atlas could be quite complete. But I soon said goodbye to that. Despite a total of around 2600 places, this is probably only the tip of the iceberg. Germany is downright saturated with these tales. And if there is no ghost story about a castle ruin, it is only because no one has taken the trouble to write it down.

Therefore, my tip: if you know really old people, talk to them about the subject and let them tell you something. You will probably hear stories that would otherwise be lost forever.

Do I believe in these stories? No. But I like them. I like their atmosphere and the places where they are set. And I think they are also a part of our identity.

I have refrained from beginning each narrative with allegedly. But of course these stories are ultimately myths and not incontrovertible facts.

When creating this collection, I limited myself to the classic haunted figures from old and new sagas and legends. More fairytale-like figures such as fairies, giants and dwarfs are therefore not included in this collection. The same applies to fairytale-like tales, under which most of the countless treasure sagas fall. I have therefore also left out clerical figures such as angels or the devil. Witches are a borderline case, which I have only included if they were legendary figures and not reports from the gruesome witch trials. Included, however, are goblins and also mermaids. In contrast to Arielle and the depictions in some fairy tales, they are indeed among the most murderous spooky creatures to be found in Germany.

It was also a little difficult to categorise the places. Basically, I classified them according to towns and municipalities. However, in the case of isolated buildings such as castles and prominent places in nature, such as mountains, I listed them directly.

In practice, all these demarcations were not always easy to make. If I did not succeed in doing so at one point or another, I apologise.

Since this work was self-published without professional editing and the translation was done with the help of deepl, I apologise for any errors that may have occurred.

Since this work was self-published without professional editing and the translation was done with the help of deepl, I also apologise for any errors that may have occurred.

In addition to the hauntings that are part of legends and myths, there are of course countless real and supposed supernatural experiences that occur hundreds of times every day. But on the one hand they have no cultural roots, and on the other hand they are often hardly recorded. However, I would not answer the question of whether I believe in these cases so unequivocally with a no.

I wish you a pleasant creepiness and that you never lose sight of the special and magical in your life.

Baden-Württemberg

Aichstetten

Lautrach forest

In the Lautrach forest, the ghost of a wild hunter is up to mischief, especially on the nights around All Saints' Day. He carries two dogs with him that have fiery eyes and tongues and has already frightened many a nocturnal hiker.

Albstadt

Tailfingen

Around Tailfingen, in earlier times, the Dengelgeist is said to have appeared on warm summer nights, always noisily sharpening his scythe, but never harming anyone.

All Saints Monastery

Hüttengrund

In the so-called Hüttengrund near the All Saints Monastery, the ghosts of no less than seven monks are said to haunt. Unjustly, they had once ensured that a piece of forest came into the possession of the monastery. Since then, they have had to atone for this without any prospect of redemption. However, they are friendly and allegedly help the forest workers from time to time.

All Saints Monastery

The picturesquely situated ruins of the All Saints Monastery in the Black Forest already made an impression on Mark Twain. Whether he also met Brother Pauli on his journey, however, has not been handed down. Brother Pauli was once a monk in the monastery. However, he is said to have behaved anything but God-fearing. He is even said to have melted down a silver cross in order to make bullets out of it, which never missed their target. Therefore, it is not surprising that now the ghost of the monk has to go around at night in the remains of the monastery and in the nearby woods.

The area is also known for having the Moospaff wandering through the night. This is the ghost of a priest who was once responsible for the salvation of the souls of this area. One day he lost a host intended for an anointing of the sick and searched for it in vain.

In the so-called Hüttengrund near the monastery, the spirits of no less than seven monks are said to be wandering. Unjustly, they had once ensured that a piece of forest came into the possession of the monastery. Since then, they have had to atone for this without any prospect of redemption. Several monks also haunt the All Saints' Forest and mislead those who mock them.

Alpirsbach

Unknown farm in Ehlenbogen

In a farm in Ehlenbogen, which is no longer known, a horrible poltergeist is said to have once been up to mischief. He was called Hafersäer (oat seeder) because he often made a noise as if oats were being thrown against a wall. At night he sometimes sat on the chest of farmhands so that they could hardly breathe, unleashed cattle, rumbled or pulled the blanket off sleeping people.

Alt-Eberstein Castle

If you sit in the beer garden of the ruins of Alt-Eberstein Castle on a sunny day with a cold beer and enjoy the magnificent view of the Rheingau, you would hardly get the idea that this castle is home to countless nocturnal creatures. Thus, in dark nights from the castle sounds as of collapsing walls are said to penetrate into the surrounding area. Sometimes a white lady goes around there at night, without anyone having anything to say about her origin. And cattle grazing near the castle are sometimes said to panic and run away for inexplicable reasons. Perhaps it is better to visit the castle during the day...

Altensteig

Berneck Castle

In the Middle Ages, Berneck Castle was often the scene of lively festivities. Apparently, the revelers enjoyed it so much that even after death they could not refrain from carousing. For even today, ghosts are said to gather at night in the castle for a boisterous meal.

Appenweier

English brook

At the so-called English brook near Appenweier, one can sometimes meet a ghostly dog that accompanies the passers-by and disappears with the ringing of the church bells.

Schwarzer Adler

The Schwarzer Adler (Black Eagle) is an old inn with guest rooms in Appenweier. It is said that an eerie black poodle once appeared there every time a misfortune was imminent. Finally, he was allegedly banished to a chamber, which was then walled up. Behind the inn there is said to have been another ghost dog. This was supposedly the restless soul of a man who had once betrayed his servant.

Surrounding area

In the early hours of the morning, a sneezing ghost is sometimes said to be in the vicinity of Appenweier. You must not wish him good health, otherwise you will be a corpse three weeks later.

Argenbühl

Surroundings Eglofs

On the route between Eglofs and Isny sometimes appears a demon in the form of an old woman and old-fashioned costume, the so-called Steigweible. Horses were often so afraid of the apparition that they did not want to go further. Sometimes the old woman directly blocked the way or accompanied carriages, which finally passed her, silently and menacingly a part of the way. Also, a will-o'-the-wisp has often been seen in this place.

Bad Ditzenbach

Gosbach

The area around Gosbach is said to have once been haunted by a ghost who sometimes sat on carts so that they became so heavy that they could hardly be moved.

Herrenwiesen

It is said that once upon a time there was a fiery-eyed animal in the meadows, which sometimes appeared as a dog, sometimes as a goat. As soon as someone caught sight of it, it fled in the direction of St. Joseph's Chapel.

Unknown farm

In a farmstead in Bad Ditzenbach, sheep are said to have died again and again in an inexplicable manner in earlier times. The unfortunate shepherd was advised to drive a stake into the ground in his barn at night. When this was done, loud cries of pain were heard. At the same moment a man died in the village and the mysterious animal deaths came to an end.

Bad Krozingen

Schlatt

Near the village of Schlatt, the Huns are said to have once suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Germanic tribes. Since then, from time to time, the spirits of the deceased rise from the earth to fight the battle anew amid great noise.

Bad Mergentheim

Ochsengasse

In times of great need, the spirit of a fiery red calf is said to wander along Ochsengasse in Mergentheim as an evil omen, bellowing terribly.

Weissenhausgässle

Every now and then, but especially during Advent, the ghost of the Schimmelreiter can be seen in the Weissenhausgässle, riding slowly down the alley with his head under his arm.

Bad Peterstal-Griesbach

Unknown hotel in Griesbach

In Griesbach there was once a hotel run by a landlady known as Lämbi. The Lämbi was popular with everyone and the hotel flourished. One evening, when influential gentlemen were together in a merry circle, they granted their landlady a wish. She then wished for a large piece of adjoining land. And promptly they supported their influential patrons. But in the process, the previous owners were overreached, and so the landlady found no peace in the grave. In her hotel, she now walked the corridors and could be heard rattling the key. Whoever dared to spend the night in her old room was even shaken, choked and beaten. The surrounding area also haunted her and she sat on carts that could hardly be moved. A swineherd who mocked her felt her wrath and was strangled.

Surrounding area Peterstal

Once upon a time, the ghost of a powerful man accompanied by will-o'-the-wisps roamed the night near Peterstal, carrying a boundary stone with him. Some men who wanted to get to the bottom of the apparition asked him where he should put it. To this they replied that he should put it where he had taken it from. Since then, the ghost has not been seen again.

Bad Wurzach

Bad Wurzach Castle

The Bad Wurzach castle, today used by the public sector for various purposes, is said to have been unsafe at night. For then the ghost of a knight in full armor wandered through the deserted corridors of the walls. This was the Bauernjörg, a knight who played an inglorious role in the bloody suppression of the peasant uprising in 1525.

Seibranz surrounding area

The forest between Seibranz and Zeil is said to be the home of a demon who appears in the form of a giant woman. This is called the Langjuppe. She appears mainly at night and likes to lead passers-by astray.

Surrounding area

Legend has it that a mountain spirit lives on a hill in the area around Bad Wurzach. He can only be seen once every 100 years, but then he appears in such a brilliant light that the whole area is illuminated.

Baden-Baden

Collegiate Church

The collegiate church of Baden-Baden was once said to be haunted by the ghost of a priest. One day a man fell asleep during the evening service and awoke late at night. In the dim light of the eternal lamp he saw the ghostly priest preparing to say mass. The ghost told the man to come and serve him the mass. But the priest did not move from the spot. The next day he asked his master for advice, who recommended him to help the ghost. So the man returned to the church the following night and this time served the eerie priest at mass. After the mass was said, the priest thanked the man and tells him that he is now redeemed, whereupon he disappeared. But the unfortunate helper had only three days to live after that.

Hohenbaden Castle

The imposing ruins of Hohenbaden Castle rise majestically above the spa town of Baden-Baden. There is still much to see and discover within the walls. And at night it could also hold a sinister encounter. For on dark stormy nights, the Gray Lady is said to walk the corridors of the castle with hair fluttering eerily in the wind. This is the ghost of a once proud and domineering margravine. After she gave birth to a son, she carried him up the tower to show him his future lands. In the process, the boy slipped away from her and fell into the depths. But the mysterious thing was that the child, who could not have survived the fall, was never found. It had disappeared from the face of the earth. And so the countess is still looking for her son today.

In the airs and forests of Baden-Württemberg

Everywhere in Baden-Württemberg the wild army can show itself, which is also called Mutesheer or Motesheer here. With roar and battle noise it moves through the air, especially in the time before Christmas. If you can hear it particularly loudly, it is said that a hard year is coming. Whoever sees the army goes blind. Whoever does not get out of its way even loses his life.

The wild army shows itself above all in the so-called Heergasse, which leads from Pfullingen in the direction of Eningen. However, there are reports of encounters with the wild army throughout the country, among others from Hülben, Tieringen, Wurmlingen, Neubulach, Bühl, Dittigheim, Schluchtern, Wertheim, Wiesenthal, Hochstetten, Singen and from the ruins of Diepoldsburg.

The wild hunter often shows himself similarly loud and dangerous when he moves through the air accompanied by his wild pack of dogs. Thus he has often been observed near Leiberstung, among other places. Especially in the deep Black Forest, however, he prefers to creep through the dark woods, where he can be heard striking wood.

Instead of the wild hunter sometimes the Rockertweible is on the hunt. This haunted figure originated at Ebersbach Castle, but has also been seen near Gernsbach, Loffenau, Reichental and in the Murg Valley. Whoever dares to mock the wild hunter or the Rockertweible should quickly take refuge under a roof. Because under such one is safe before the spook. If not, you run the risk of getting your head twisted around.

Under the roofs of Baden-Württemberg

The mare is called Schrettele, Schrettle, Drückerle, Trute or Nachtmännle in Baden-Württemberg. Deep in the night, the creature haunts sleeping people and lies down on their chest or neck so that they can hardly breathe. The victim of the Mahr, however, is not able to call for help and only when someone calls his name, the alb lets him go.

Protection from such a visitation offers the Trutenfuss, a magical sign that one puts above the door.

Baindt

Surrounding area

In the area around Baindt, the White Horse is said to appear at night from time to time. This is a ghostly white horse that frightens nocturnal hikers.

Balm Castle

In the extreme south of Baden-Württemberg near Lottstetten-Balm there was once Balm Castle, which has now completely disappeared. According to legend, the feisty knight Lutz von Balm lived there in the 13th century. At an advanced age he decided to marry after all, and his kind and demure but unattractive wife bore him a son. One day a young woman named Amina, whose father was an outlaw, found refuge in the castle. She succeeded in beguiling the old knight so much that he finally poisoned his wife in order to be able to marry his new mistress. He left his young son in the care of a wet nurse, who, however, hardly cared for him. Finally, the spirit of the murdered woman appeared and cradled the son in her arms every evening. The wet nurse, gripped by horror, reported what she had observed. Amina then laid in wait herself, believing that the woman might not have been murdered at all. Instead, she met a ghost in the flesh. Gripped by fear and guilt, she fled and entered a monastery. The knight, on the other hand, gave his son into the care of a priest and spent the end of his days as a hermit. The ghost was never seen again.

Bodman-Ludwigshafen

Hangen

Near Bodman there is a place popularly called Hangen, because once there was a gallows. Therefore, it does not wound that this place is not considered sinister. Among other things, a ghostly figure dressed in white and wearing a straw hat is said to appear there.

Löchle

The village of Bodman nestles idyllically on the shores of Lake Überlingen. There is an unfathomable place in the lake, which is called the Löchle. In its depths there is said to dwell a demon called the Nebelmännlein. He usually appears as an old man with a silvery beard. On silent nights he comes to the surface, leading shipmen astray or spoiling the vines on the shore.

Böhmenkirch

Kolmanswald

Towards the end of autumn, the Kolmans Forest is said to be haunted by the wild hunter, who then roams the countryside with his wild pack of hounds and hunting cries.

Roggental

In the Roggental valley near Böhmenkirch, there used to be a lonely field cross at the foot of a mountain slope. There, at night, the Nieserle (Sneezer) was up to mischief. The demon made himself known by sneezing, even if no one could be seen. Sometimes he squatted on the shoulders of passers-by. One day, a man said God help you when the squatting demon sneezed. With that, the sneezer disappeared and was never seen again.

Börtlingen

Surrounding area

In the forest near Schweizerhof near Börtlingen, a ghost named Pöppeler is said to have once walked around. However, no further details are known about the appearance.

Bretten

Field near Bauerbach

A long time ago, a plowing ghost is said to have appeared in a field near Bauerbach between eleven and twelve o'clock at noon. A boy who was herding cattle there finally asked the spirit how he could redeem him. The ghost then asked him to plow with him the next day at noon. Hoping for a treasure, the boy fulfilled his wish and released the spirit. However, he did not receive a reward, but instead died already seven years later.

Lehrwald forest

According to legend, the ghost of a hunchbacked Jew roams the Lehrwald forest near Bretten, leading nocturnal hikers astray.

Bronnen Castle

Bronnen Castle is spectacularly situated on a rock, but cannot be visited. However, all sorts of stories are told about the castle and the surrounding forest. The castle is said to be haunted by several ghosts and in the forest you can sometimes see hanged people in the trees at night. During the Nazi era, when the castle served as a residence for a Nazi leader, she is said to have been so frightened by a haunting experience that she fled from there to a nearby monastery.

Buchen (Odenwald)

Eberstadt forest

It is better not to enter the Eberstadt forest near Buchen at the witching hour. At this time, a fiery man rides through the woods and keeps a lookout for lonely hikers. If he finds someone, he puts his hand on his shoulder so that it burns through his clothes.

Mühlweg

At the Buchener Mühlweg (Mill Path) there is a wayside shrine where it is not supposed to be scary at night. A demonic black cat is said to appear at this eerie place. However, it has not been handed down what is hidden behind this haunting.

Büsingen

Surrounding area

According to legend, a demon roams around the village of Büsingen at dusk. He resembles a billy goat, but has only three legs, shining plate-sized eyes and is covered with shag. Understandably, the children there were told to be at home until dusk.

Constance

Dom

The demise of the canons of Constance was from time to time accompanied by a haunting. Thus, in the 16th century, before the death of the canon Albrecht von Landenberg, a huge bogeyman appeared there. When Frederick of Hinweil was dying, the cathedral was haunted by a poltergeist that raged so strongly that at first it was thought to be an attack. However, no living soul had been discovered on the spot.

Lanzenhof

The Lanzenhof in Constance was the residence of Count Gottfried von Zimmern in the 16th century. But as princely as his manor house was, it was difficult to find peace there at night time, because a ghost was up to mischief there. Most of the time it made itself known only by knocking and rumbling. But sometimes it appeared as a white figure with bright green eyes. When it finally stood in front of the Count's bed and woke him up, he sought help from the black artist Jacob Holzer. The latter succeeded in summoning the ghost, which then revealed to him that he would have to haunt for up to 8 years for his sins. However, it was not possible to banish the ghost. According to the legend, the count stayed away from the Lanzenhof until the ghost disappeared.

Lake Constance

On Lake Constance, a fire man, the Feurige Fischer (Fiery Fisherman) is said to have often been seen in earlier times. Despite his fiery appearance, he walked all over the lake on the surface of the water and teased the fishermen. To get rid of him, however, it was enough to throw him a rope, which he then lit, because as long as the rope burned, the ghost was freed from his torment.

Deggenhausertal

Hepsack forest

Between Roggenbeuren and Wendlingen lies a forest called the Hepsack. Even though it is quieter there now, the grove used to be infamous as a place of extremely dangerous hauntings, so that people avoided the forest wherever possible. On the way through the forest there used to be a carter who tortured his horses and beat them mercilessly. So he had to go around there after his death. He jumped on the backs of nocturnal hikers so that they almost collapsed from exhaustion, or he led them astray so that they could hardly find their way out of the forest. Carriages could not move from the spot and sometimes they were even overturned. There is a story from 1834, when 14 carts were returning from a wedding at night and all of them fell down an embankment. Also, at night one often heard inexplicable cracking of whips, eerie shouts and the ghostly rattling of a wagon.

Homberg

On the path between Homberg and Azenweiler, the ghostly figure of a horseman sometimes appears at night to frighten and mislead nocturnal hikers. This is the ghost of a charcoal burner who preferred to steal his wood during his lifetime instead of buying it and who therefore now has to go around as punishment.

Der Schwarze Bruch

On the mountain Der Schwarze Bruch there is a place called Moos. The city of Benau is said to have sunk there once as a punishment for the godless life of its inhabitants. Today, will-o'-the-wisps can still sometimes be seen there at night.

Dietfurt

Dietfurt Castle

The ruins of Dietfurt Castle lie picturesquely on a rock near the town of the same name. The eerily beautiful place is said to be haunted at night by the ghost of an old countess. Even apart from that, the ruin still offers eerie things. In 1924-1933 it was owned by the New Templar Order and in a cave under the castle the Templars established a sacred room. Visits are possible in individual cases after consultation with the authorities.

Dischingen

Katzenstein Castle

Katzenstein Castle is one of the oldest and best preserved castles from the Staufer period in Germany. Rumors persist that an undiscovered treasure rests there. In 1737, a Capuchin priest set out to find it - apparently with entirely secular interests in mind. But the castle also contains a ghost named Baldrian who is not to be trifled with. Enraged, the ghost fell upon the priest. That he escaped with his life was due to the intervention of the second ghost of the castle, the ghost of Westerstetten, who is clearly more peaceful. Do the two of them still haunt the castle today? Since you can also spend the night in the castle, you can find out for yourself. I keep my fingers crossed that it is only the ghost of Westerstetten that you encounter....

Mühlberg

The Mühlberg near Dischingen is an enchanted place, which is said to be unsafe, especially at night time. The legend has its origin in the story about a little girl to whom the spirit of a woman in an old-fashioned costume appeared there and asked her for salvation. However, the girl remained suspicious and so the soul was not redeemed. Now, if someone tries to do this, he is said to have to die within three days. Since then, there have been reports of strange behavior of animals, which, for example, suddenly disappear from their pastures, or of ghostly birds that are said to rustle through the night.

Donaueschingen

In the alleys of the city

Count Wolfgang von Fürstenberg breathed his last in 1509. When he was still among the living, he was not exactly squeamish towards the citizens of Donaueschingen and their property. Thus his soul was damned. To this day, his restless spirit is said to wander through the dark, nocturnal alleys of the city during Advent.

Surrounding area

On the route from Donaueschingen to Hüfingen, a ghostly black poodle is said to sometimes appear at a wayside shrine between eleven and twelve at night, blocking the way for nocturnal hikers.

Donzdorf

Old city hall

Once upon a time, the old Donzdorf town hall, on whose site there is now a fountain, also housed prison cells. One of the officials meant it particularly badly with his prisoners and partly even ate away their food. As punishment, the Kohlöffel had to go around the town hall as a ghost with a spoon in his hand after his death.

Grünbach

At night time, a demon in the shape of an aurochs is said to be up to mischief in Grünbach and to have led many a lonely returnee astray or scared him to death.

Scharfenberg Castle

On some dark nights, at the witching hour, the ruins of Scharfenberg Castle are said to be haunted. Then there appears fiery rider without head on a white horse, before he suddenly disappears again.

Winzingen

The captain of Roth once lived in Winzingen. After his death, he went around as a ghost, who was nasty to people. He haunted Winzingen Castle particularly violently. There, he was finally banished by some Capuchin monks into a measuring jug, which was buried by a beech tree. When this beech tree was later unknowingly felled, the spirit was freed and has since roamed the area as the wild hunter.

Dornhan

Fürnsal

According to legend, in 1807 the ghost of Theussenbauer haunted the Fürnsal district of Dornhan. He appeared to the town sheriff Reich and took him into confidence about his restlessness. However, he also took from him the promise not to talk about it and so it remains a mystery why he had to haunt.

Unknown house

The house of a man named Matthias Mösner in Dornhan is said to have been haunted by a poltergeist in 1827 and 1828. He made noise in the house, untied the horses in the stable and blew out lights. However, prayers finally succeeded in getting rid of the spook.

Dunningen

Seedorf Castle

A long time ago there was a moated castle in Seedorf, but nothing is left of it now. It is said to have been haunted since time immemorial. Sometimes the ghost showed up in person, sometimes it made itself known by rumbling and eerie noises. However, it found its master in one of the lords of the castle, Count Johann Werner. The irascible man drove the ghost so harshly that it became afraid of him and stopped haunting in his presence. But the haunting outlasted the count. Even when the castle was already desolate and deserted, lights could sometimes be seen there at night, while eerie sounds echoed through the night.

Durbach

Surrounding area

In the past, the restless soul of a boundary stone setter haunted the area of Durbach. He kept asking where he should put the stone. One night, a drunken man answered that he should put it where he had taken it from, and the spirit was released.

Unredeemed, on the other hand, is the Michelewitsch.  This is the spirit of a Russian officer, who was once murdered by angry peasants because of his cruelty.

Dürnau

Buchau forest

In the Buchau forest near Dürnau, there is said to have been a castle called Bühl. The walls have disappeared, but it is said that things are not right in that place. On some nights, the ghosts of the old castle inhabitants can be seen playing skittles, and from time to time they make a deafening noise in the forest that frightens everyone.

Eberbach

Eberbach Castle

The small town of Eberbach lies picturesquely on the Neckar River, watched by the ruins of Eberbach Castle, which sits enthroned on a hill above the town. But even in this idyll, one or the other night creature dwells. One of them is the ghost of a knight who rides down from the castle to the town on a three-legged white horse on dark nights. Another spirit that wreaks havoc here is the Borghelle-Newwelle, which appears as a white mist and once drove a treasure hunter out of the ruins and has been seen again and again ever since. The Bortehut, who was a servant of the last lord of the castle, is also said to roam around there. Anyone who mocks him risks even getting a resounding slap in the face from him. The Borghelle-Männle (Borghelle Man) is similarly tangible and plays many tricks on passers-by around the castle. For example, he likes to throw stones and has even pushed people down the hill.

Ehrenkirchen

Surrounding area Ehrenstetten

In times long past, there were some surveyors in Ehrenstetten who shamelessly exploited their position to enrich themselves. Since then, these go around the whole district in the shape of firemen, hitting their fiery measuring sticks on the trees, where they then strike sparks like in a forge.

Eichstetten

Brautbrunnen

Near Eichstätten lies the Brautbrunnen (Bride's Well). It is haunted at midnight and midday by the ghost of a noblewoman who died at the well on the way to her wedding.

Eisingen

Old rectory

In the old vicarage of Eisingen, things are said not to have been right. At night, a ghost would often walk across the churchyard with heavy footsteps and then wander from room to room in the rectory. However, it listened to the priest, who sometimes directed it to a corner. Sometimes a mighty snake with a rooster in its jaws would appear there, crawling from the house into the stable. Also haunted there was the Blaserle, which could not be seen, but which blew gently in the face of the inhabitants. Also the ghost of a nun went around there and disappeared every time in the said stable next to the house. A maid followed the nun one day and paid close attention to where she disappeared. When they dug there they found the bones of a child. When they buried them in the churchyard, the hauntings came to an end. Only the Blaserle continued to circulate before this apparition also gradually disappeared.

Surrounding area

The forests around Eisingen have the reputation of being haunted by witches. It is reported that one should cross oneself every time before entering these forests in order not to succumb to the witches' spell.

Eislingen

Krummwälden

In early times, the paths between Krummwälden and Hohenstaufen and Eislingen had the reputation of being unsafe. It is said that at night misanthropic spirits roamed there, which is why the paths through the woods were avoided at night if at all possible.

Eningen unter Achalm

According to legend, two ghostly animals appear in the streets of Eningen during the nights of Advent. One is a white sow wearing a chain around its neck, the other a white goose.

Eppingen

Unknown house

A woman's ghost is said to have once haunted Eppingen, often appearing in the form of an animal. One night it took the form of a calf and was taken away by a farmer who thought it was a real calf. At home, the spirit changed into human form and asked to be allowed to stay there, even in the smallest corner. Thereupon the man made a small box for the spirit, in which the spirit is said to have remained until today.

Eschenbach

Surrounding area

On the fields of the rear Lotenberg in bright moonlit nights, the ghost of the so-called Langen Heilig (Long Holy) is said to go around, but he does not harm anyone.

Between Schlat, Eschenbach and St. Gotthardt, on the other hand, the ghost of the white lady of Zillenhart is sometimes seen, who prefers to beguile young men.

Also on the footpath to Gammelshausen it goes around. There, on foggy nights, a ghost haunts the place and leads travelers astray.

Feldberg

Feldberg

Once upon a time, the monastery of St. Blasien and several surrounding dioceses were haunted by the ghosts of monks before a Capuchin monk succeeded in banishing their spirits on the Feldberg. There they still walk around as headless monks and frighten nocturnal hikers.

The Dengelmann is also said to be up to mischief on the mountain. He walks around there in black form with his scythe and is considered a messenger of death to anyone who sees him.

These apparitions are accompanied by the ghost of the former abbot of St. Trudpert, who wanders through the nights there in his religious habit and accompanied by two subordinates. Due to their misdeeds, they found no peace in death and were finally banished to the mountain by a Capuchin.

Feldsee

The Feldsee is mystically surrounded by rock faces and forest at the foot of the Feldberg in the Black Forest. According to legend, countless spirits and demons are banished to this lake. Knowledgeable necromancers from all over the region banished these dark creatures into bottles and then sank them into the lake. Once this was done, one had to leave the place without turning around again. The eerie voices of the restless souls would then resound from the lake, and whoever made the mistake of turning towards them would be drawn into the depths by them.

Fichtenau

Unterdeufstetten

In Unterdeufstetten there once lived a river guard who checked the river every evening on horseback. One evening, drunk, he fell into the river and drowned. To this day, his ghost is said to sometimes ride through the night.

Flügelau Castle

Flügelau Castle

It is said that a goblin named Klopfer (Knocker) once lived in the former Flügelau Castle, of which only small remains remain today. He performed household chores, but wanted to remain hidden from human sight. When curious servants chased him, he went into such a rage about it that he set fire to the castle and destroyed it.

Forbach

Lake Herrenwiesen

Lake Herrenwiesen is a lonely lake located in the forest at an altitude of 830 meters. It is said that mermaids once lived in the lake, but unlike many of their kind, they were friendly towards humans and sometimes even left them rich gifts.

Surrounding area

In the area around Forbach, it is said that in earlier times a huge demon in a fiery shape, elongated like a snake and with two horns on his head, made his mischief. It is said that he once grabbed a returning man and deposited him on the remote Latschig rock.

Fornsbach

Cemetery Mettelberg

It is said that the cemetery of Mettelberg near the psychiatric hospital Rosenfels is permeated with an eerie atmosphere. Visitors often feel uncomfortable there, perceive a cold draught as if from nowhere or can observe how the gate of the cemetery closes by itself. At night, shadowy figures are said to be seen there.

Freiburg

St. Martin's Church

Many years ago, a drunken student is said to have mocked the crucifix at St. Martin's Church by showing it his bare bottom. As punishment for this, he now haunts the streets of the city in the form of a ghostly calf.

Freiersberg

Freiersberg

The Freiersberg is a wooded mountain pass in the Black Forest. According to legend, a peculiar demon is wreaking havoc there. The Hackerkäthele appears in the form of an old woman with ragged clothes and a broken umbrella but with a rose hat. She leads hikers astray and after an encounter she often disappears in a cloud of smoke.

Freudenstadt

Hotel Waldlust

When the Hotel Waldlust opened in 1902, it was a center of attraction for nobility and high society with its exclusive furnishings. Especially in the 1920s, the hotel was famous for its exclusivity and a true symbol of the hedonistic Roaring Twenties. But since its closure, the former noble hotel has fallen into disrepair.

Even in its heyday, however, things were not above board in the building. There were reports of children screaming in the night, although no child was present, of oil paintings in which the facial expressions of the portrayed changed, of objects inexplicably falling down and the like. One young woman felt a touch, although no one was near her, and left immediately as a result. And finally, one or two ghosts have been seen wandering the nocturnal corridors. One of them is said to be Adi, the former manager and grand dame of the hotel, who is said to have died there violently in 1949.

Frickingen

Finkenhauser Hölzle

Near Leustetten lies a forest called Finkenhauser Hölzle. The restless spirit of a farmer who once shot the image of Christ from a crucifix with his rifle is haunting the forest. He lurks in the undergrowth and jumps on carts, which then hardly move from the spot or jumps on people's backs, who then have to carry his load until they leave the forest.

Fridingen an der Donau

Surrounding area

According to legend, a pitch-black woman is said to haunt a gorge near Fridingen, which is called the Weiblesteich. What the haunting is all about, however, has not been handed down.

Fürsteneck Castle (Butschbach)

A ghostly carriage is said to chase through a hollow way to Fürsteneck Castle on new moon nights, accompanied by a wailing. However, no one knows what the haunting is all about. In the remains of the castle itself, however, a demonic black dog is said to dwell, guarding a treasure believed to be there.

Furtwangen

Surrounding area

According to legend, a headless ghost called Kuterwibli sometimes appears near Furtwangen in the vicinity of the Fürsatzhof.

Gaggenau

Amalienberg

On the Amalienberg near Gaggenau there used to be a cave that was popularly used to banish ghosts who then made their mischief in that place. After the cave was blown up in the course of construction work, however, the haunting also disappeared.

Gaienhofen

Gaienhofen Castle

In 1417, a lavish feast was held at Gaienhofen Castle on Lake Constance. But the feast set the stage for a gruesome murder. Knight Hans von Stuben used the hustle and bustle of that night to stab his brother-in-law Michael von Reischach. Michael led a very dissolute life and Hans feared for the family fortune, so he decided to do away with him. On dark, stormy nights, it is said that even today the ghost of Michael appears in his doublet and rushes to the place where he was murdered.

Gammelshausen

Surrounding area

From the Galgenberg near Gammelshausen it is reported that ghostly will-o'-the-wisps sometimes appear there at night time. Likewise, in the area of Gammelshausen, the Köpfles Reiter is said to be the wild hunter with his wild hunting party and his no less wild dogs. Often the hunter also appears as a harbinger of death.

Geigerskopf

On the Geigerskopf there was a wayside shrine once, which was destroyed by a farmer. For this he found no rest in the grave. To this day, his soul is seen in the form of a will-o'-the-wisp on stormy nights at that place.

Gengenbach

Surrounding area Schwärzenbach

Around Schwärzenbach in the Black Forest, the Kolmen Weibchen is said to be up to mischief. This demon appears in the form of an old woman with a basket on her back and a stick in her hand and leads nocturnal hikers hopelessly astray.

Gernsbach

Rockert Forest

A countess of Ebersbach Castle was once so fond of the Rockert forest that she even perjured herself in court to come into its possession. But the price she had to pay was high. For ever since her death, she has had to go around as a ghost in the forest, which is called Rockertweible. She would clearly be better off in her old castle, which now houses a beautiful hotel-restaurant.

Glaswaldsee

Deep in the Black Forest rests the lonely Lake Glaswald. According to legend, a monastery once stood in its place, which sank into the earth and in its place the lake was formed. Sometimes at night the ghosts of 12 nuns rise from the dark waters and let their eerie singing sound on the shore. The spirits of the castle's inhabitants are said to appear to this day in the form of mermaids, who lure men to the lake with their beautiful singing, only to drown them there.

In the unfathomable depths of the lake, the Seemännle are said to have dwelled in the past, who had a small stature with the upper body of a man and the lower half of a fish. Partly they performed services for the people in the region, for which they received food from them. About what could happen if these water creatures were deprived of their food, there is a story from the Seebenhof estate, where a maid, which left no food for the servant goblin, was found dead in the yard the next day. She was upside down, which was completely buried in the ground.

Gomaringen

House Aunaut

In the house Aunaut in Gomaringen, which no longer exists today, once lived a bailiff named Kaspar, who had cheated the community out of many a piece of land. After his death, his soul found no peace and had to go around his house. During the nights he knocked and banged all over the house. Sometimes he could be seen wandering the corridors with his pointed cap and pipe. When a child was born in the house, he showed himself especially often. He is said to have even taken the children and put them under the bed, but did not harm them.

Gomaringen Castle

In 1801, the physician Johann Jacob Naedele spent the night at Gomaringen Castle after visiting the sick. Deep in the night, an old woman from the village suddenly appeared in the locked chamber and sat on the doctor's chest so that he could no longer move. It was not until dawn that the witch suddenly disappeared and the doctor found his room still locked.

Göppingen

Hohenstaufen surrounding area

At Hohenstaufen, in earlier times, the Scheinlichter (will-o'-the-wisps) appeared at night time, dancing on a hill in front of the village without harming anyone. After a quarry was built there, however, they disappeared.

Will-o'-the-wisps have also been seen from time to time on the Aasrücken, one of which, particularly bright, is said to be the ghost of Frederick Barbarossa. In any case, the mountain is not safe. Ghosts are said to walk around there at night and Aufhockers harass lonely travelers. During Advent, there is said to be a fair of ghosts at the witching hour.

Likewise, the Schimmelreiter, a hunter on a magnificent horse, is said to haunt the area. He is accompanied by his hunting party. In contrast to the usual appearance of a wild hunter, however, the Schimmelreiter behaves very calmly and peacefully towards people.

Surrounding area

The so-called Breithut is said to haunt everywhere in the district of Göppingen. He then usually sits on the buckboard of his carriage, which is pulled by four black, headless horses. It is unclear who the Breithut was during his lifetime. Some say he was a nobleman, but he made his money with frauds. Others say he was a robber baron from Reussenstein Castle, whose ruins are still spectacularly enthroned on a rock today. There is agreement, however, that he led a life of iniquity, for which he must now be dealt with.

Gräbelesberg

The rugged Gräbelesberg rises above the Swabian Alb like a natural fortress. It is probably because of this peculiarity that it was settled ages ago. In addition to old wallanlgen, an ancient haunting has also been preserved there. Because when night falls, the spirit of a woman is said to walk around there, which is half black and half white.

Grosser Heuberg

The Hardtfräulein is said to haunt an area called Auf der Hardt, which is connected to the mountain Grosser Heuberg. The ghost is dressed in black and wears a black slouch hat. The lady shows herself mostly hostile. Accompanied by her fearsome laugh, she likes to lead people astray, make cattle shy or even plunge people into abysses.

Grosserlach

Unknown farm

In April and May 1916, a particularly strong haunting of a poltergeist occurred in Grosserlach. A woman whose husband had been killed in the war lived with her children and nephew on a farm. Out of the blue, the phenomena began and got worse and worse. Cattle were untied as if by magic and, covered with fear sweat, began to rampage in the barn. In the house, logs began to dance, objects fell or flew around the room. Numerous witnesses were present at the phenomena. The case was officially documented and made waves in the press. But no one could help. A daughter saw a black goat in front of her mother's bed, but no one but her could see it. Eventually, the flying objects even injured visitors and the mother's bedding was torn at night. As a result, the family left the house, which was later demolished. The reasons for the haunting were never clarified.

Gruibingen

Surrounding area

Numerous encounters with ghosts have been passed down from the area around Gruibingen. For example, in the direction of Gammelshausen, a ghost is said to have haunted the area, sitting on the carts so that they could hardly be moved. The ghost of a French soldier is also said to haunt the area, while a spirit bound in a sack is said to rest in the so-called Devil's Hole.

Grünenberg

The Grünenberg in the Swabian Jura is said to have been inhabited by a demon in the shape of a shepherd who had the power to banish carts so that they could no longer move.

Güssenburg Castle

Every year on St. John's Day, two eerie little flames are said to appear in Güssenburg Castle near Giengen. According to legend, these are the souls of two damsels. When the castle was once stormed, they escaped through a secret passage. However, their two fiancés fought and died in the castle. At the place where they perished, the lights now keep their lonely vigil.

Hassmersheim

Guttenberg Castle

Until the 1760s, Guttenberg Castle on the Neckar was haunted by the ghost of a tall, ancient woman. She appeared sometimes in white, sometimes in gray, made herself known by banging and always disappeared at a corner of the washhouse. Sometimes she jumped into the neck of the servants, but she was very light. Otherwise she did not harm anyone. It is said that during her lifetime she was a chambermaid who had murdered her child. When digging at the washhouse, the bones of a woman and a child were discovered. After they were buried, the haunting disappeared.

Hausach Castle

Even Hausach Castle is said to be haunted. On dark nights, ghostly will-o'-the-wisps can sometimes be seen in the ruins.

Hayingen

Surrounding area

On the way from Hayingen to Indelhausen, a witch is said to have been up to mischief in earlier times. The little old woman jumped on the backs of passers-by without them being able to shake her off and always let herself be carried to a certain place, where she disappeared with a roar.

Heidelberg

Thing site

The Thingstätte(Thing Site), an amphitheater that was built during the Nazi era, exudes an eerie aura. Many visitors claim to have felt an eerie presence here that terrified them.

Witch Tower

The Witches' Tower in Heidelberg has a reputation for being spooky. Thus, people report ghostly encounters and inexplicable feelings of fear and trepidation.

Heimenkirch

It is reported of a farm near Heimenkirch that a farmer once hanged himself in the attic there and since then is said to haunt the place nightly as a ghost.

Heiningen

Surrounding area

The area around Heiningen is said to be haunted by the Reusche Mann on foggy nights. This ghost appears riding on a white horse and carries his head under his arm. If he finds a person in the fog he leads him astray. Sometimes he even rides through the surrounding villages.

In a part of the forest called Bahnholz, besides the Banzgeist, who appears as a will-o'-the-wisp, even Wodan himself is said to haunt, showing himself with a waving red beard and mostly unclothed.

From a ford between Heiningen and Göpingen, a ghostly poodle is said to rise from time to time and silently go its way. Horses are said to have refused to continue their way at this place in earlier times.

Hemsbach

Surrounding area

Not so long ago, there is said to have been a gnarled old pear tree near Hemsbach. It is said that a ghostly sheep showed itself there during the Rauhnächte (Twelth Night), which accompanied passers-by for a while. However, no one knows what the apparition was all about.

Hermaringen

Mahrbrunnen

Near Hermaringen a spring is said to bubble out of the ground, which is called the Mahrbrunnen. This spring is the exit from the dwelling of the mare, which is said to dwell deep in the earth. He is said to have jumped on the back of many a night walker at this place and let himself be carried to exhaustion. The legend tells of two children whom he is said to have even hounded to death. The mare appears in different forms. Sometimes as a huge toad, sometimes as a winged creature. If he does not find any victims in the vicinity, he enters the houses and sits on the chest of sleeping people, where they threaten to suffocate under his weight.

Heroldstatt

Ennabeuren

According to legend, the area around Ennabeuren is not safe. In a place called the Kirchlesmad, a man without a head is said to wander through the nights. On the road to the town there is another headless man, who sometimes sits on carts, which then hardly move. Likewise, the cries of a restless shepherd echo through the night.

Hiltenburg

In the ruins of Hiltenburg Castle, a white lady is said to be up to mischief. Once she was a beautiful lady of the castle, to whom her father granted every wish. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, she led a nefarious, vicious life and was finally cursed by her father. Since then she has had to live there.

Hochberg Castle

The mountain castle is home to a white lady who wanders the corridors at night holding a bunch of keys. She is also said to often show herself at the windows during moonlight. It is also said that from time to time she wanders from the castle down to the Brettenthal valley.

Hochburg

Hochburg Castle near Emmendingen (also called Burg Hachberg) is the scene of the haunting of a white lady. Every night she wanders into the valley to the stream, where she washes herself and then walks back to the castle, and on the way back you can hear her mournful weeping. At the castle, on the other hand, her singing is said to be heard on full moon nights. Supposedly she guards a treasure in the ruined castle and waits for someone to lift it to redeem her.

Hohberg

Surrounding area

The area around Hohberg has the reputation of being haunted by a witch. This witch often jumps into the neck of nocturnal hikers and lets herself be carried as a heavy burden part of the way.

Hohenkarpfen

The mountain Hohenkarpfen rises in a lonely cone shape above the Swabian Alb. On its top there was once a castle, of which only meager remains can be seen today. In former times, however, it was a feared nest of robber barons. The noisy ghosts of the robber barons are said to still make the nights unsafe there. According to legend, their stolen treasures rest in the depths of the mountain and are guarded by a demonic black poodle and a raven.

Hohenkrähen Castle / Under the roofs of Swabia

The ruins of Hohenkrähen Castle are spectacularly enthroned on prominent rocks and offer a magnificent view as far as the Rhine and Lake Constance. Johann Christoph Poppelius Mayer once resided there. He was a small, lanky and vicious drunkard. Once he even had an abbot imprisoned who had mocked him because of his appearance and kept him imprisoned until he was just as thin as he was. Thereupon the abbot cursed him, and that's how the Poppele has to deal with until today. In Swabia, he is a notorious ghost who wreaks havoc not only at Hohenkrähen Castle, but everywhere in town and country. For example, he likes to push passers-by into streams and obstruct carts that can no longer get away from the spot. Often, however, he simply plays funny, teasing pranks.

Hohenrechberg Castle

It is reported that during dark thunderstorm nights, three blue lights sometimes appear in the old castle ruins. In earlier centuries, a poltergeist is also said to have resided in the castle, who made himself known every time the death of a Rechenberger was imminent.

Hohenringingen Castle

Today, only remains of the castle Hohenringingen near Ringingen are preserved. Once upon a time, the local noble family ruled over the whole area. The most notorious was the Schmeller von Ringingen, who squeezed his subordinates with taxes and services wherever he could. So it is not surprising that he found no rest in his grave. After his death, he haunted the castle as a ghost, rumbled terribly through the walls at night and, for example, heated the fireplace so strongly that one could no longer stand it in the room. However, he always told how he could be redeemed. Since this included, among other things, duties to the church, his heirs initially objected. However, as the haunting got worse and worse, they finally complied with the old man's demand and the ghost found his rest.

Hohenstadt

Surrounding area

Near Hohenstadt there is a prominent rock called Bettelmann (Beggar Man). A demon of the same name is said to have once lived there, leading many a poor traveler astray so that he disappeared forever into the forest.

In the direction of Laichingen, a blue will-o'-the-wisp is said to