Hear about the horrid medieval history of Cologne through the eyes of an executioner. Hear gory stories and bloody tales on this 1.5-hour guided tour.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Duration 1.5 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
Live tour guide: German
Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Stroll through the city and retrace a headsman’s steps in medieval Cologne
Listen to eerie stories from a bygone era in which death was omnipresent
Learn about the executioner's profession

Full description

Who could practice the profession of an executioner? When did an executioner receive his master craftsman’s diploma, which enabled him to let heads roll on behalf of the state? Who exiled lepers and plague-infested harlots? Who walked through medieval dark alleys and killed wild dogs and stray hogs? Who burnt spell books and could build gallows? The executioner – somebody had to do it! Join a medieval headsman on a bloodcurdling guided tour of 1.5 hours, leading you through Cologne’s historic centre. Find out what could go wrong during an execution and how a headsman supplemented his own low income as a knacker, dog-catcher or gold-seeker. Learn all the gory and grisly details... if you dare to join.

Includes

A 1.5-hour costumed tour through Cologne’s historic centre

Meals and drinks

Covid-19 precautions

You must book this activity online because the ticket office is closed

Meeting point

Heinzelmännchenbrunnen, Am Hof, 50667 Köln

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Important information

What to bring

Comfortable shoes

Know before you go

This is a fully accessible historic centre tour
Minimum age requirement: 18 years.
Sturdy footwear and weather-proof clothes are recommended
The tour is in German

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 66 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.9/5
Value for money
4.7/5
Service
4/5
Organization
4.8/5

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I actually wanted a horror event like a dungeon (Hamburger Dungeon or London Dungeon), but unfortunately there is no such thing in Cologne, so I looked for alternatives. This is where I came across this guide. It was rated a little worse in mid-2021, which puzzled me. After a long time back and forth between the night watchman leadership and the executioner leadership, I decided for myself and my brothers (20-28 years) for the executioner leadership. ATTENTION: This tour is not frightening in the form of jump scares or creepy surprises (such as in a dungeon), but it is frightening what has happened in Cologne. The stories are sometimes creepy to disgusting, which is why they absolutely deserve FSK 18. The company Kölngeflüster is a really fascinating company that has come up with some ingenious things to tell historical history in a different way.

September 25, 2021

It was a very interesting, if a little creepy, evening. The guide was a really super good executioner, I was literally "glued" to his lips because his stories were so exciting. You can really recommend this tour.

March 9, 2020

May 22, 2022

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Executioner's Tour of Cologne in German

Executioner's Tour of Cologne in German

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