Pretty much every country and culture around the world has its own set of creepy mythical beasts deeply rooted in ancient folklore. Germany is no exception, boasting a collection of tales that are downright chilling. Are you ready to explore some of the scariest creatures from German legends? Then keep reading!
In this list, we’ll delve into ten terrifying mythical beasts said to have existed (or maybe still do!) around Germany. These stories were passed down through generations, whispering of creatures lurking in the shadows, hunting unsuspecting people. Get ready to meet the monsters that have haunted the German imagination for centuries. But be warned, you might want to avoid reading this right before bed!
The Bahkauv
The Bahkauv is a mythical monster said to inhabit the forests and open lands around Aachen, Germany. Typically depicted as a deformed calf with long, sharp fangs, this terrifying creature is known for targeting drunk men wandering through cities, forests, and paths.
Legend has it that the Bahkauv often lurks in bodies of water like streams, fountains, and even sewers. Aachen, with its numerous thermal springs, is a perfect home for this beast. As the sun sets and men indulge in drinks at local bars and pubs, the Bahkauv emerges. The myth tells of the beast latching onto the shoulders of intoxicated men, forcing them to carry it around before ultimately attacking and killing them.
There are many cultural stories about the Bahkauv. One tale claims that Pippin the Younger killed a sleeping Bahkauv he found near a spring. The city of Aachen holds the mythical beast in such awe and fear that they’ve erected statues honoring it—twice!
The first statue was built in 1902 but was melted down during World War II for its metal. In 1967, a second statue was created and still stands in the city center to this day. [1]
The Aufhocker
The Aufhocker, also known as the “huckup,” is a German shapeshifter whose name roughly translates to “leap upon.” It ambushes people by jumping on their backs and weighing them down until they die of exhaustion. While it often targets thieves and criminals, it has been known to attack lone travelers and even old women.
As a shapeshifter, the Aufhocker’s appearance varies. Some legends describe it as a goblin-like creature, while others claim it is a beautiful woman or a creepy corpse. Regardless of its form, it lurks in the shadows near bridges, paths, and deep in the woods. Once it leaps onto someone’s back, it’s nearly impossible to shake off, carrying its victim down until they collapse under the weight.
Modern folklorists interpret the Aufhocker as a representation of emotional burdens and psychological traumas. Its attacks on old women symbolize the fear of aging and death. Some believe the myth arose as an explanation for sleepwalking, sleep paralysis, and night terrors, which were mysterious and unexplained centuries ago. [2]
The Morbach Monster
The story of the Morbach Monster centers around Thomas Schwytzer, a supposed deserter from Napoleon Bonaparte’s army in 1812. Fleeing to Germany with Russian deserters, they turned to banditry to survive.
They came upon a farmhouse in Morbach, where they brutally murdered the farmer and his sons. The farmer’s wife, witnessing the killings, cursed Thomas to become a wolf under the next full moon. Undeterred, Thomas killed her as well.
As the next full moon arrived, Thomas transformed into a wolf-like creature. He began to pillage and plunder farms around Morbach with increasing violence, frightening his gang, who eventually left him. Now fully transformed, Thomas attacked and killed both humans and livestock every night.
For years, Thomas terrorized the area until he attacked a farmer’s daughter, Elizabeth Beierle. Enraged, the villagers tracked Thomas to his forest hideout.
Schwytzer fled but was eventually cornered and killed in Wittlich. To prevent his return as a werewolf, the villagers buried him under a shrine of the Virgin Mary, lighting candles that they kept burning continuously. The vigil, they believed, would keep the werewolf at bay.
Even today, a shrine stands on the supposed burial site. While the truth of Schwytzer’s story remains uncertain, Morbach remains vigilant against the return of the monster. [3]
The Glühschwanz
The Glühschwanz, or “glowtail,” is one of the most bizarre creatures in German folklore. Described as a glowing, dragon-like ghost, it would fly over villages at night, lighting up rooftops with its luminous tail. It would then target chimneys of homes where witches supposedly lived, descending to deliver gifts.
However, the Glühschwanz only provided gifts like grain, treats, and money if the witches left out sweet milk. Without the offering, it would set the chimney on fire and fly away! The Glühschwanz also represented the ethical side of society, exposing wrongdoings by illuminating the homes of those who underpaid workers or stole from their masters.
This act was like a medieval form of cancel culture. The Glühschwanz might also drop foul items down the chimney, leaving a terrible stench. Essentially, it was a local conscience, calling out those who acted poorly.
But the Glühschwanz wasn’t always mean. It was also known to drop coins down the chimneys of hard-working, honest people, rewarding them for their good deeds. Sounds like a pretty cool dragon! [4]
The Klagmuhme
The Klagmuhme is one of the creepiest figures in German folklore, often compared to the Irish banshee. Known for her haunting cries and shrieks, her wails signal imminent death for the listener or someone close to them. As such, her cries inspire fear in all who hear them, serving as a harbinger of tragedy.
The Klagmuhme appears in various forms, most often as a howling black dog. Others have seen her as a whining white goose, a dove, a gray cat, a whimpering sheep (sometimes with three legs), or even a fiery toad. In some regions, she is depicted as a calf with fiery red eyes or a gigantic sheep who warns of impending doom but lashes out at anyone who confronts her.
Most commonly, she appears as an old woman in a black dress and a three-cornered hat, with glowing eyes and deathly pale skin. Her wailing is said to call the sick and indigent to their death. To ward her off, one must throw a sick person’s clothing outside. If she takes the clothing, death is certain; if she leaves it, the person may recover.
Thankfully, the Klagmuhme rarely harms people directly. But the psychological damage she inflicts is significant. Her wails strike fear across the village, deeply affecting even those unrelated to the sick. Once heard, her cries are never forgotten.[5]
The Buschgroßmutter
The Buschgroßmutter is a forest spirit from the folklore of Bohemia, Saxony, and Thuringia. She appears to humans only once every hundred years. She is depicted as an old woman with a wrinkled face, ugly, staring eyes, long, messy white hair full of lice, tattered clothes, a long stick, and moss-covered feet.
Sometimes, she is kind, asking people to comb her hair or help her with tasks. Those who help her receive gifts like spools of yarn that turn to gold. However, she also has a dark side. Mocking her appearance leads to spells that cause illnesses, steal milk from cows, and destroy crops.
She is mostly solitary but sometimes accompanied by forest spirits called the Moosfräulein, regarded as her daughters. On holy nights, the entire group travels the countryside in a cart, and it’s best to avoid them then, as that is when she’s most foul. The
Buschgroßmutter has been viewed as an ancient goddess trapped in the forest, a queen of forest spirits, or even a forest demon. German mothers have used her story to warn their children against wandering through the woods. [6]
Petermännchen
Petermännchen, a mostly friendly and strange spirit, is said to live in Germany’s Schwerin Palace. He is described as a small creature, only a few feet tall, allowing him to roam the castle’s vaults and tunnels easily. He carries keys, a lantern, and sometimes a sword, guarding the palace against thieves and intruders.
While mostly nice, Petermännchen causes trouble for those who intrude upon Schwerin Palace, playing pranks that range from fun to violent. He also has a good side, waking up soldiers who fall asleep during night watch to prevent them from being punished.
Over the centuries, many have claimed to see Petermännchen. Some say he is an old man with long hair and a beard, while others describe a more dashing figure in a military uniform, riding boots, and a feathered hat. Regardless of his appearance, Petermännchen remains a beloved figure in Schwerin. [7]
The Doppelgänger
The word “doppelgänger” is often used to describe a lookalike. But in German folklore, the doppelgänger has a darker history. In ancient mythology, it was seen as the ghostly twin of a living person, signaling impending doom. The word “doppelgänger” literally means “double walker” in German, adding to its creepy nature.
Historically, the doppelgänger appeared as a direct sign to the person that something terrible was about to happen. Unfortunately, there was no way to avoid one’s fate once the doppelgänger arrived.
The mere presence of this double spirit was enough to signal that the end was near for its human twin. So, encountering someone who looks exactly like you might be a sign that it’s too late to run. [8]
The Mara
In German myths, especially in Pomerania and Rügen, the “Mara” is a malicious creature that visits people in their sleep, causing nightmares or sleep paralysis. According to lore, the creature sits on a sleeping person’s chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe. The victim becomes drenched in sweat and unable to speak, trapped in a terrifying state until called by their baptismal name.
The Mara is typically described as a female entity who enters a house through an unfinished hole in the wall or roof, or through an open window or chimney. Once inside, she must carry out her task, terrorizing her victim without being forced out.
Preventative measures include offering the creature buttered bread and cold water or boiling water in a newly bought jar as a peace offering. In some regions, placing an upside-down pair of slippers near the bed is believed to keep the Mara away. It’s better to risk waking up with upside-down slippers than to endure the worst night’s sleep of your life. [9]
The Bergmönch
The Bergmönch, also known as Meister Hämmerling, is a mountain monk-like spirit. He is described as a giant with white hair and fiery eyes the size of dinner plates. He typically wears a black, hooded cloak, resembling a monk—hence his name.
He can also dress as a miner working underground or transform into a horse with a long neck and glowing eyes. He can even become invisible, moving about undetected by humans.
The miner aspect of the Bergmönch is significant, as he lives deep in mountain pit mines, helping mortal miners. On Fridays, he fills his bucket with ore and moves it. Miners must avoid scolding him, as he will punish them. His breath is poisonous, capable of killing twelve people at once, and he can violently toss a miner, shattering their limbs.
However, if miners stay on his good side, he helps them. He offers endless lamp oil and uncovers hidden veins of gold and silver. Because of his size and strength, he can complete a week’s worth of human work in an hour. German miners revere the Bergmönch and work hard to keep him happy to avoid his wrath. [10]
These mythical German beasts offer a glimpse into the rich and often terrifying folklore of the region. From the drunken tormentor Bahkauv to the helpful yet dangerous Bergmönch, these stories have been passed down through generations, shaping the cultural landscape and sparking the imagination. Whether these creatures existed or are simply products of folklore, they continue to fascinate and frighten those who hear their tales.
Which of these beasts gave you the biggest nightmare? Leave your comment below!
