The Poor Sinners' Lane at the Goose Meadow

Wien · Österreich · Execution site

Count the people in the alley before you enter. An even number and you pass safely — an odd one, and disaster finds you within the year.

Out towards the Gänseweide by the Danube Canal, the execution ground used from the late 14th century onwards, ran a narrow lane called the Armensündergäßchen — the poor sinners' lane. Here the condemned walked their last road, and no Viennese went through it willingly. The legend lays down an exact rule. Anyone crossing must first count how many people are in the lane. If the number is even, you may go. If it is odd, a terrible misfortune will strike you before the year is out. A widow from Erdberg turned back halfway through when the count came out wrong, and waited until a journeyman stepped in. She could name those who had ignored the rule: one man died two days later, another had his purse stolen, and a woman lost her only child.

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The Poor Sinners' Lane at the Goose Meadow liegt in Wien, Österreich.