In the late hours of the evening, join the costumed night watchman on his rounds of Munich's old town. Immerse yourself in a lovely and mysterious long-forgotten world and experience the history of the city firsthand.
The night watchman is much more than just a tour guide with a lantern in his hand. When the denizens of Munich sleep, the night watchman must maintain peace and order in the alleyways and darkened corners of the city.
He knows all the winds of the maze of the city and is the trusted bearer of dark stories and clandestine societies.
He disdains the modern era, chastises the guests when they don't know about the patron saints of the city, but is always happy to answer when someone asks, “Why does one need so many taps here in Munich?” His response: “For the beer!”
The night watchman shepherds his flock at Marktplatz, yet he so scorns the lively nightlife gathering after 21:00 - law-abiding citizens are in bed by then.
Head to St. Peter's Church and take a look at the tops of the towers – the night watchman will explain why they stand askew. On the south side, see the old churchyard and hear stories from the gravestones: funeral customs and epitaphs, decomposing corpses, and missing church pews.
At the tower of the Altes Rathaus on the historic “Salzstraße,” the old Stadttor comes to life and complains of its rebuilding in the '70s. Here, he questions visitors' piety. Patron saints holy Onuphrius and Henry the Lion will protect the people from sudden death.
Continue past the torture chamber and prison to the Alter Hof, built by Louis II. Learn why this ruler was regarded as so harsh, how the House of Wittelsbach came to Munich, and from where the Zwingerstock's name came.
Follow the city walls from the 12th century and head west from Wasserburg. At Gruftgasse, hear Alois tell the spooky story of Waller in Walchensee, of the young lady and her golden ring.
And in the Schäfflergasse, learn why wine, rather than beer was the drink of choice in the Middle Ages. At the cathedral, set your sights higher to the symbols of the city, the two towers.
Hear about the rich widow's epitaph and Fanny von Ickstatt's unlucky fall from the north tower of the Frauenkirche as the tour of the inner city draws to a close. Then continue to Promenadeplatz with the old “Salzstadel”.
Pass the Palais Porcia and Palais Holstein as the night watchman tells the story of the sovereign lord Karl Albrecht, who had the palaces built for his mistress.
At the Salvatorkirche, learn about the enormous host desecration and the love story of Henriette Adelaide, the consort of electoral prince Ferdinand Maria, at the “Theatinerkreuzgang.” After 10 years, the long sought-after heir to the throne was born, at which point the Theatine Church was built.
Finally, the night watchman lets his herd loose into the night to continue his rounds.
