Historical city tour about Berlin folk beliefs about ghosts on November 1st
"Then he must rise from his grave at the witching hour..." From the song "Always Practice Loyalty and Honesty" by Ludwig Hölty, 1775.
All Saints' Day, or "All Hallows' Eve" in Old English, now "Halloween," heralds the arrival of winter. In Berlin and the Mark Brandenburg, Christian and pagan elements intertwine in medieval folk beliefs on the feast days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Due to the Reformation and the materialistic age, the festival initially faded into the background in Berlin. However, since the introduction of "Halloween" in Germany in 1991, the ancient festival has regained popularity in Berlin as well.
This evening tour begins at the Gothic St. Nicholas Church, which, in the heart of the historic St. Nicholas Quarter, immediately transports us back to medieval Berlin. Here, at Berlin's oldest cemetery, our journey into the realm of the ancient All Saints' Day celebrations begins. We will discover the local, traditional elements of the festival. For example, the aforementioned song by Hölty, once very popular in Berlin, deals extensively with German folk beliefs about spirits.
On All Saints' Day, graves are decorated. Lights are placed upon them, shining in the darkness of the cemetery. According to traditional folk belief, on this mystical night, the veil between the worlds is open, and the souls of the deceased visit their loved ones. Masked processions by torchlight represent spirits.
- This open city tour is conducted exclusively in German
- You can also book it as a private tour on other dates and in other languages at the office
Private tours on other days or in German or French language are possible with arrangement
