The Old Town of Munich conceals three particularly frightening places that have been causing concern among locals and visitors for centuries. The first is the majestic St. Mary's Cathedral, also known as the Frauenkirche, whose distinctive two towers tower over the city skyline. It was here, according to local legend, that the devil himself tried to interfere with the construction of the temple. When he entered the interior of the still unfinished cathedral, he was so delighted with the construction that he agreed not to destroy the building on condition that no windows be placed in it. However, the builder outsmarted the evil spirit by placing the columns in such a way that no window could be seen from a certain spot in the vestibule. When the devil discovered the ruse, he stomped his foot out of anger, leaving his mark on the floor, which can still be seen today. This place, called 'Teufelstritt' (Devil's Footprint), attracts crowds of curious people who want to see for themselves the proof of Satan's presence in the holy place.

The second spooky spot on the Old Town map is the Old Town Hall, whose dark dungeons conceal a terrifying history. In the Middle Ages, it housed torture cells where those accused of witchcraft, heresy and other offenses were interrogated and punished. According to accounts from guards and staff, on cold autumn nights you can hear moaning and crying coming from the underground, even though prisoners have no longer been held there for centuries. Particularly ominous is the room known as the 'Whispering Chamber,' where the walls are said to still hold the last words of convicts. Guides tell us that some tourists, especially those sensitive to paranormal phenomena, experience sudden drops in temperature, dizziness and even see passing shadows in this place.

The third chilling site is the Jungfernturm Tower, located near the Old City Hall. This inconspicuous building has witnessed countless tragedies. According to accounts, young women accused of immoral conduct were held here in the 14th century. Many of them died as a result of torture or due to inhumane conditions. Residents of nearby tenements swear that on moonless nights they hear women's voices coming from the tower, singing sad songs. Some even claim to have seen silhouettes of young girls in medieval costumes in the tower's windows. Local guides often end their evening tours right at the Jungfernturm, telling the most frightening stories associated with the place.

Interestingly, all three locations share a legend. Apparently, once a year, on Walpurgisnacht (April 30 to May 1), the spirits of all victims of injustice meet in the square in front of the Old City Hall to make a procession to the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where they seek redemption. Those who happen to stand in the path of this ghostly procession are doomed to bad luck for the next year. Locals to this day avoid passing through the Old Town on this special night, preferring not to risk an encounter with the hereafter.

The Munich Residence, a monumental palace complex in the heart of the city, was for centuries the seat of the Bavarian rulers of the Wittelsbach dynasty. Behind its imposing walls, many dramatic events took place, which left not only a mark in history, but also, according to some, the ghosts of restless souls. The most famous ghost of the Residence is the White Lady, who is said to be found in the north wing of the palace. According to legend, she is the ghost of Agnes Bernauer, a beautiful bathhouse attendant who secretly married Prince Albrecht III. The duke's father, disapproving of the mezalliance, accused Agnes of witchcraft and ordered her to be drowned in the Danube in 1435. Since then, her ghost has haunted the royal chambers, seeking justice and her beloved husband. Museum staff are reluctant to talk about unexplainable phenomena - shifting objects, strange noises and sudden drops in temperature, especially in rooms associated with the story of the unfortunate Agnes.

Also located within the Residence is the Antiquarium, the oldest room in the palace complex, considered the finest Renaissance hall north of the Alps. This monumental room, decorated with frescoes and sculptures, was intended to house Prince Albrecht V's collection of antiquities. However, according to local legends, the Antiquarium hides a dark secret. Beneath its floor is said to be a secret passage leading to underground chambers where alchemical experiments and occult rituals were performed. Some visitors claim to feel a strange uneasiness and a sensation of being watched by unseen eyes in the central hall. Particularly sensitive visitors speak of visions of figures in medieval costumes making mysterious gestures over laboratory tables that no longer exist.

The Alter Hof, Munich's oldest palace complex, is another place said to be haunted. This medieval residence was the first seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty in the city. A legend of the 'Monkey of Munich' is associated with the Alter Hof. According to the legend, one of the rulers kept an exotic monkey as a pet in the palace. During a fire in the 14th century, the animal kidnapped the little prince and escaped with him to the roof of the palace. The terrified parents promised a lavish reward for rescuing the child. When the monkey heard their cries, it calmly descended from the roof and returned the infant. Since then, the ghost of the monkey is said to have appeared around the Alter Hof, heralding the birth or death of a member of the Wittelsbach family. Interestingly, on one of the walls of the building you can see a stone statue of the monkey - a silent witness to this remarkable story.

It is worth noting that all three royal residences are connected not only by their historical significance, but also by a special architectural element - each of them has secret passages and hidden corridors, which, according to legends, served not only as escape routes for the royal family, but also as places of secret meetings and rituals. Guides tell us that in some of these corridors, closed to the public today, the temperature is always several degrees lower than in the rest of the buildings, and electronic devices often refuse to work. Of particular interest is the fact that all three locations are connected by an underground tunnel system, the full plan of which was reportedly lost during World War II. Some researchers of paranormal phenomena claim that it is these tunnels that are peculiar 'conduits' for spiritual energy, allowing spirits to move between buildings.

The Hofgarten, an elegant Renaissance garden located between the Residence and the English Garden, is a quiet place of relaxation for locals and tourists during the day. However, when dusk falls, the park takes on an ominous character. According to local legends, in the central part of the garden, around the Dianatempel pavilion, on moonless nights silhouettes of dancing couples in 18th century costumes can be spotted. The phenomenon is linked to the tragic story of a masked ball in 1770, during which a fire broke out in the pavilion, killing more than a dozen people. The ghosts of the victims are said to return to finish the interrupted dance. Particularly disturbing is that the figures dance in complete silence, their feet not touching the ground. Park rangers are reluctant to patrol this part of the garden after dark, and some of them have given notice after night shifts, refusing to explain the reasons for their decision.

In the northeastern part of the Hofgarten is a mysterious old oak that is said to be the oldest tree in Munich, remembering the founding of the city. The tree, known as the 'Hanging Oak,' is said to have been the place where traitors and spies were executed in the Middle Ages. Local residents claim that on windy nights you can hear moans and pleas for mercy coming from the oak. Interestingly, despite many attempts, no photographer has managed to take a clear picture of the tree after dark - the photos always show a strange fog or unexplained streaks of light. Botanists studying the oak have discovered that its bark has an abnormally high temperature, even on winter nights, which they cannot scientifically explain.

Munich's new City Hall, although located in the center of the city rather than in a park, also has its own dark secrets related to nature. The neo-Gothic building, whose construction lasted from 1867 to 1909, is best known for the impressive Glockenspiel clock on its facade. But few tourists know that the city hall tower is home to a colony of bats, which according to urban legends are the souls of architects and workers who died during construction. City Hall employees tell of strange noises coming from the tower on nights preceding storms - resembling human whispers rather than the typical sounds made by bats. Every year, on the anniversary of the tower's completion, the figure of a man in early 20th century garb reportedly appears on the tower's top balcony, holding plans for the building. Attempts to document this phenomenon have so far been unsuccessful.

Comparing all seven creepy places in Munich, there are some regularities. Sites associated with royalty (the Residence, the Antiquarium, the Alter Hof) are haunted mainly by the ghosts of the aristocracy and those associated with them. In contrast, locations in the city center (St. Mary's Cathedral, the Old and New City Hall) are associated with legends of devils, demons and punishments for sins. The Hofgarten, on the other hand, combines elements of both, being a kind of bridge between the world of government and the world of ordinary residents. It is also interesting to note that most paranormal phenomena in these places intensify between late autumn and early spring, which some researchers link to Bavaria's Celtic roots and pre-Christian beliefs about the cycle of life and death.

It's worth noting that despite their ghostly notoriety, all of these sites are open to the public during normal opening hours. The St. Mary's Cathedral, city halls and royal residences are popular tourist attractions, and the Hofgarten is a favorite stroll for Munichites. However, for those who want to experience their dark side, the best time to visit is in the late afternoon hours of autumn or winter, when early dusk is conducive to creating a mysterious atmosphere. Local guides offer special 'ghostly tours' during which they tell the most frightening stories associated with these places. Prices for such tours are usually average, although they may increase during the Halloween season. For those with strong nerves who want to explore Munich's dark secrets on their own, all of the places described are available free of charge or for a small entrance fee.