Hamburg Dungeon Special Show: “The Sacrificed Trenchworker”
© Foto: Hamburg Dungeon / Tom Menz
(eap) For decades in the 17th century, ramparts protected the Hanseatic city of Hamburg from invasions and thus contributed to its economic development. The construction of the elaborate fortification required enormous financial resources and hard work from the citizens – and perhaps even more… In the new special show “The Sacrificed Trenchworker”, the Hamburg Dungeon has been making the efforts, fears and myths surrounding Hamburg’s ramparts perceptible since March 2 and until May 3 of this year…
It is the year 1623. A dark tunnel, creaking beams, trickling earth … and strange noises. In this setting, guests at the Hamburg Dungeon find themselves in the new show “The Sacrificed Trenchworker”. According to the underlying storyline, they are to be recruited for the construction of Hamburg’s ramparts – the most modern fortification of its time. But the major project demands its toll: the citizens’ money and sweat, setbacks caused by collapsing tunnels, and construction workers who disappear in mysterious ways… One of them is the boy Joris, a simple trenchworker. The other workers believe he was sacrificed. For popular says: “The structure will only hold if a life is within it.” Can the guests, as new recruits, escape before it is too late? Various special effects and live actors create a gloomy atmosphere and goosebump moments in the spring show.
“The Hamburg ramparts continue to shape our city to this day and are still visible in many districts. During our research into the history of their construction, we came across numerous myths and forms of superstition. Many workers believed in the so-called building sacrifice, which was said to be necessary for large structures – perfect, dark material for the Hamburg Dungeon,” explains Daniel Zschoke, new General Manager of the Hamburg Dungeon. He took over the position in February from Miriam Wolframm, who will henceforth exclusively manage the LEGO Discovery Centre Hamburg, which opened last spring (see EAP 4/2025). ■
