Terrible crimes in Vienna, hidden secrets of the inner city

Uncover Vienna’s Hidden Crime Stories for a Unique Experience

This 2-hour walking tour in Vienna takes you through the city’s lesser-known history of terrible crimes and mysterious secrets. Priced at $45.12 per person, the tour is perfect for enthusiasts of true crime, history, and dark tales. The tour operates as a small-group experience, ensuring an intimate setting with a maximum of 20 participants, and features a mobile ticket for easy access.

What makes this tour stand out is the focus on landmarks linked to infamous events that most visitors miss. With a complimentary smartphone audio guide, you get a detailed narration on each stop, making the experience both informative and engaging. The tour suits those who appreciate offbeat stories intertwined with the city’s historic sites, offering a different perspective from typical sightseeing routes.

Key Points

• Price and Duration: At $45.12, the 2-hour walking tour offers great value for exploring Vienna’s dark side.
• Exclusive Landmarks: Visit hidden and rarely seen locations connected to crimes and secrets not found in guidebooks.
• Rich Storytelling: The guide’s narration brings to life stories of monks, spies, and serial killers with detailed accounts.
• Varied Stops: The tour covers a diverse range of sites from monasteries to palaces and historic streets.
• Small Group: With a maximum of 20 guests, the experience remains personal and engaging.
• Free Cancellation: Flexibility to cancel up to 24 hours in advance with a full refund.

Starting Point at Helmut-Zilk-Platz and Meeting Details

The tour begins at Helmut-Zilk-Platz, Albertinapl. 2-3, 1010 Wien. From this central location, the guide leads you through Vienna’s inner city, with stops that reveal the city’s dark past. The route ends at Rauhensteingasse, 1010 Wien, making it easy to continue exploring Vienna after the tour.

The meeting point is near public transportation, ensuring easy access for those staying in or passing through Vienna’s city center. The mobile ticket simplifies check-in, allowing you to focus on the stories rather than logistics.

Exploring the Monastery Dungeons at Tegetthoffstraße 2

The tour kicks off at the Capuchin monastery, where Father Innocentius discovered ancient dungeon cells used to incarcerate monks for absurd reasons, including unauthorized walks or minor infractions. Notably, Father Innocentius later became a Protestant and advisor to the tsar, adding a twist to this dark chapter. The dungeon visit is brief, but it sets an eerie tone for the stories to come.

This stop offers a glimpse into medieval and early modern punishment practices, highlighting how monastic discipline intersected with local history. The admission is free, allowing you to absorb the chilling atmosphere without extra cost.

The Jaroszynski Murder and Actress Therese Krones at Trattnerhof

Next, the tour visits Trattnerhof, site of the famous Jaroszynski murder case. This story involves actress Therese Krones, who became entangled in a crime she had little involvement in. Her career was ruined after rumors suggested her extravagant lifestyle contributed to Jaroszynski’s despair, though in reality, he was addicted to gambling and heavily in debt.

The stop provides context on Vienna’s social scandals and the moral judgments that often followed criminal cases. No admission fee applies here, keeping the focus on storytelling.

The Blood Countess: Elisabeth Bathory at Palais Bathory

The Palais Bathory is linked to Elisabeth Bathory, known as the “Blood Countess”, who is allegedly responsible for over 600 murders. She’s famous—or infamous—for the legend that she bathed in the blood of her victims to preserve her youth and beauty, a story that continues to fascinate.

This site offers a sinister glimpse into medieval and early modern crime, as well as the intrigue of aristocratic power in Vienna’s history. The story of Bathory remains one of Vienna’s most notorious crime tales and adds a chilling layer to the tour.

The Lucona Affair at Demel and Kohlmarkt

The tour stops at Demel, near Kohlmarkt, where the Lucona scandal unfolded in the 1970s. Here, Udo Proksch, an authorized signatory, planned an overinsured freight containing an explosive device to commit insurance fraud and mass murder. This case stretches into years of investigations due to Proksch’s extensive connections.

This stop highlights Vienna’s dark history of financial crime and conspiracy, contrasting with the city’s elegant facade. The investigations into the case reveal the extent of corruption and deception that can lurk beneath Vienna’s glamorous exterior.

The Ferstel Palace and Medieval Mass Murder

At Herrengasse, the Ferstel Palace stands near the site of Vienna’s most notorious medieval mass murder at the Zu den Fünf Morden house. The murderer, who impaled his victims, including a seven-year-old child, was executed in a painfully slow process due to the executioner’s inexperience. This gruesome event shocked Vienna and remains a dark part of the city’s history.

The story of this mass murder exemplifies how medieval justice could be both brutal and bizarre. The scene offers a stark contrast to Vienna’s more celebrated landmarks.

The Spy Affair and Colonel Redl’s Suicide at Hotel Klomser

The Hotel Klomser was the site of Colonel Redl’s suicide, which ended Austria’s most famous spy scandal. Redl’s espionage activity severely damaged Vienna’s reputation and exposed vulnerabilities within the Austrian secret service. His story is linked to international espionage fears just before WWI.

This stop provides insight into Vienna’s role in political intrigue and military secrets. The Redl case remains one of the city’s most impactful espionage stories, revealing how trust and betrayal shaped history.

The Anna Gaugisch Disappearance at Molker Bastei

At Molker Bastei, the story of Anna Gaugisch unfolds. In 1861, her body parts were found dismembered after being murdered by her boyfriend Raimund Lewisch, who wanted her out of the way after she became pregnant. Lewisch’s attempt at dismemberment was motivated by a desire to conceal his crime.

This gruesome crime illustrates domestic violence and jealousy in Vienna’s history, emphasizing the city’s darker human tales. The site’s proximity to the Danube adds a somber note to this disturbing story.

The Political Violence of 1848 at Am Hof

The 1848 revolution brought political turmoil to Vienna, exemplified by the lynching of War Minister Theodor Baillet de Latour at Am Hof. His murder marked a rare act of political violence in the city and signaled the start of the October Revolution. The same location also housed the civil arsenal, which was looted during the upheaval.

This story offers a look into Vienna’s revolutionary past, showing that even in a city known for its stability, violent political events have left their mark.

The Hannakenkönig Fountain and Moravian Miners

The Hannakenkönig fountain depicts Hannaken, a surgeon who self-injured to attract patients, setting trip hazards to provoke injuries he could then heal. Historically, Hannaken miners from Moravia often came to Vienna seeking work, and the fountain celebrates their story in a humorous, if dark, way.

This stop adds a touch of local folklore and dark humor, showing how community stories are embedded in Vienna’s streets.

The Zahlheim Case and the Last Public Execution

At Maria Am Gestade, the Zahlheim case took place, involving Vienna’s last public execution. The cruel death penalty was used at that time for murderers, with Joseph II officially rejecting the death penalty but being compelled to approve this case.

This site provides insight into medieval criminal justice and Vienna’s evolving approach to punishment, making it a compelling historical marker.

The Tragic Tale of Thekla Riener at Hoher Markt

The story of Thekla Riener involves her husband’s jealousy, who tortured her with instruments from the courthouse in Hoher Markt. He believed she betrayed him, but she was innocent. Her death culminated years of insane jealousy and obsession, with her parents’ mental health also affected.

This story underscores themes of domestic violence and mental health issues from Vienna’s past, adding emotional depth to the dark tales.

The Legend of the Baker-Baptism and Witches at St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Near St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a legend speaks of a baker who was baptized in a cage dipped into the Danube for baking poorly. Also, the only witch ever burned in Vienna, Plainacher, was held and tortured here, illustrating witch persecution.

This site reveals medieval punishments and superstitions, highlighting how public shame and cruelty shaped historical justice in Vienna.

The Witch Torture at Steffl and the Nun Walled in at Himmelpfortgasse

The Steffl was the location of Vienna’s only witch burning, involving Plainacher, accused of witchcraft and tortured. Nearby at Himmelpfortgasse, a nun was walled in in 1319 for refusing to leave her lover, echoing Romeo and Juliet themes of forbidden love and tragic fate.

Both sites deepen the narrative of religious and social control, illustrating how personal and political conflicts led to extreme punishments.

The Sum Up: A Dark, Fascinating Walk Through Vienna’s Secrets

This Vienna crime tour offers a unique glimpse into the city’s lesser-known past, combining history, mystery, and horror in a compact 2-hour experience. With over a dozen stories and visits to hidden landmarks, it provides a rich, engaging alternative to traditional sightseeing.

While the storytelling is compelling and the landmarks are intriguing, the tour’s focus on dark tales means it’s best suited for those interested in true crime and historical mysteries. The small group size and free cancellation add to the value and flexibility of the experience.

If you’re looking to explore Vienna’s secret side and uncover stories most travelers will never encounter, this tour offers a fascinating and well-organized journey into the city’s sinister past.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for all ages?
The tour covers dark and sometimes gruesome stories, making it more suitable for adults or older teens interested in history and crime stories.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?
The tour involves walking through Vienna’s streets and alleyways, so it’s best suited for those comfortable with moderate walking.

Can I cancel the tour if my plans change?
Yes, the free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What should I bring on the tour?
A smartphone for the audio guide, comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended, as the experience is outdoors and involves walking.