There is a side of Munich that many people walk right past without really noticing it. It lies hidden in the shadows of centuries-old churches, among weathered tombs, and in places where time seems to stand still.
If Edgar Allan Poe had been born in Munich, he would likely have found material for one of his dark stories on every street corner here.
The Devil’s Footprint in the Frauenkirche
In the entrance area of Munich Cathedral lies the Devil’s Footprint: a footprint in the stone shrouded in a dark legend. The Devil is said to have bet the architect that no windows would be visible in the church. From where he stood, he could indeed see none— until he took a step forward and the windows suddenly lay before him. A little Munich ghost story that fits perfectly into Poe’s world of deception and supernatural encounters.
Princely Crypt of St. Michael’s Church
King Ludwig II is buried in the Princes’ Crypt of St. Michael’s Church. His death in 1886 at Lake Starnberg remains unexplained to this day —a mystery that lends a particularly somber note to his life as the “Fairy-Tale King.” Among the Wittelsbach tombs, Munich’s history suddenly becomes very personal and very mysterious.
The Baroque Asam Church
In the midst of bustling Sendlinger Straße, a surprisingly dark, almost theatrical church world opens up. The lower section of the Baroque Asam Church symbolizes worldly suffering; the confessionals explore themes such as death, judgment, hell, and heaven . Anyone who enjoys Poe’s stories of guilt, fate, and the afterlife will find a setting here that is as artistic as it is haunting.
Old South Cemetery
Amid old trees and weathered tombs , the cityseems to stand still for a moment. The Old Southern Cemetery was established in 1563 and is now a protected site featuring graves of historical and art-historical significance. A stroll through the quiet paths feels like a journey to another time—and serves as a reminder of how closely beauty and transience are intertwined .
Princely Crypt of the Theatiner Church
Beneath the Baroque church on Odeonsplatz lie numerous members of the Wittelsbach dynasty—including three Bavarian kings and Prince Regent Luitpold. The silent coffins tell of power, dynasty, and transience: a haunting place for anyone who wants to discover the darker side of Munich’s history. The crypt is open on Saturdays.
If you’d love to dive right into a story by Edgar Allan Poe, Munich offers an experience thatbrings Poe’s dark fantasy world to life for an evening .
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy brings four of his famous stories to the stage —including “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” The event features thematically inspired cocktails or mocktails in a dark, candlelit setting with a gothic atmosphere. In Munich, the experience takes place at the Sudetendeutsches Haus.
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Munich
13 November 2026 18:00 + more dates
Sudetendeutsches Haus
