After being drowned in the river by Radlsteg in Munich, it is said that the ghosts of the discarded cats are still roaming and following passerby’s. 

The Radlsteg in Munich was a footbridge leading over the Katzenbach with a turnstile and a city gate. The name of the bridge derives from the fact that crossing the stream was blocked for all types of vehicles by a turnstile – colloquially known as a “Radl” (Bavarian for “little wheel”). The name of the river Katzenbach means Cat stream and is possibly named after a cruel custom. 

Read More: Check out all ghostly legends from Germany

The Einschüttbach was one of the two branches of the Katzenbach, which flowed behind the high bridge through Hochbrückenstraße. In 1731, bathhouses operated there, but the bridge was first mentioned in the 1500s. Alternatively, the name may derive from several mill wheels (“Radln”) that were built along the stream. 

The Radlsteg around 1880. Fresco by Hans Wißmeyer (1993) on the house wall in the Radlsteg in Munich.

The Legend of the Drowned Cats

According to the legend, the river is named after all the cats that ended their lives there. It was said that all the unwanted kittens, especially black ones, were drowned in it. Some say they are still roaming the nearby streets and alleyways. 

former Radlbad (today a residential and commercial building) with a picture showing the formerly unbuilt Pfisterbach. // Source: Wikimedia

In 1872, the Einschütt was covered and paved, the Katzenbach was also deepened and vaulted, the high bridge was demolished, and the street was leveled. 

Even today, it is said that girls and young women are often accompanied by kittens when they walk through the alley. Curiously,  it is said that the kittens vanish without a trace as soon as you try to pet them. They are said to only accompany ladies, following them towards the town center. Precisely in the direction the stream still flows underground.

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References:

Radlsteg – Wikipedia 

Radlsteg in München – Geschichte, Stadtbezirk Altstadt-Lehel, Sehenswürdigkeiten 

 Das sind Münchens gruseligste Ecken