Germany>Lemgo>The Black Book of Lemgo
City exploration game

The Black Book of Lemgo

4.76Player rating
The Black Book of Lemgo image 1
Play at your pace · usually 93 min 1.9 km Lemgo App-guided
Play in
English

The experience

About this quest

Between 1509 and 1681 about 250 people were executed in Lemgo as witches: a schoolmaster, a cantor, a merchant widow, a pastor, above all ordinary women. Every accusation went into one register, the Black Book, and in 1715 the council burned it on the market square. 

The man who wrote it walks you through ten stops of what is left: the gate where a pastor was beheaded at dawn, the executioner's house, a marble block set in your path, an archive with 200 trial files.

Is this for you?

Who it's for

True-crime and history fans, couples and friends after an atmospheric evening walk follow the man who kept the Black Book through ten stops of Lemgo's witch trials, from the gate where a pastor was beheaded to the Hexenbürgermeisterhaus. Expect medium puzzles over 1.9 km and 1.5 to 2 hours. Skip it with young children or if you want a cheerful outing, because it dwells on executions and plays best after dark.

What makes this quest special

Highlights

  • Walk two kilometres through Lemgo's old town and new town and solve ten puzzles on the buildings themselves: a tower plaque, seven planet gods on a Renaissance gable, a twisted church spire, an iron hook over the street, a five-pointed star in a church wall.

  • You finish at the witch mayor's house, where the museum is free.

From people who played this quest

Good times. In their words.

4.76 / 5

21 player ratings

Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.

From your phone to the streets

A walk that turns into an adventure.

  1. 1

    Open the app. You’re on your way.

    Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.

  2. 2

    Get outside. Follow your curiosity.

    Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.

  3. 3

    Crack a clue. Share a little victory.

    Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.

Your walk, at a glance

Lemgo

A · Start

Regenstorplatz, Regenstorstraße, 32657 Lemgo, Germany

B · Finish

Breite Str. 17-19, 32657 Lemgo, Deutschland

Get directions to the start

Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.

The people behind the adventure

Created by Pascal.

A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.

Made by Pascal

Good to know before you play

  • Route is accessible for wheelchairs
  • Horror & Haunts
  • Step Into the Story
  • Hidden History
  • Difficulty level: Medium 🟡🤔
  • You can play anytime, but we recommend after sunset
  • Audio Stories
  • Minimum recommended age: 13+

A little clarity before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Black Book tour of Lemgo?
Yes. This self-guided walk is narrated by the man who wrote the Black Book, the register of witchcraft accusations that the council burned on the market square in 1715. Audio stories and puzzles lead you through ten stops linked to the roughly 250 people executed as witches between 1509 and 1681.
Where does the quest start and finish?
It starts at Regenstorplatz, the gate where a pastor was beheaded at dawn, and finishes at the Hexenbürgermeisterhaus. It is not a loop. Along the way you pass the old defence tower on the town wall, St. Nicolai, the Stein des Anstosses, the Stadtarchiv and St. Marien.
How long does it take and how far do we walk?
Most players take around 1.5 to 2 hours, including walking, listening to the stories and solving the puzzles. The route covers 1.9 km through Lemgo's old town. You can pause at any point and continue later, so there is no need to finish in one go.
Is it suitable for children?
It is better suited to teenagers and adults. The theme is horror and dark history, the story centres on witch trials and executions, and the puzzles are of medium difficulty. Younger children may find both the subject and the puzzles too much, especially if you play after sunset as recommended.
Do we need to book a time, and when is it best to play?
No booking is needed. The quest is free to play, there is no group to join and no guide, so you start whenever you like on your phone. You can play at any hour, but it is recommended after sunset, when the stories of the trials feel most atmospheric.

Your next story starts outside.

Your next adventure is an app away.

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