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Christman Genipperteinga is perhaps Germany's most prolific serial killer of the 16th century. Whether he existed or not, though, is up for debate. There isn't much credible historical evidence that proves that Genipperteinga was real, but a pamphlet published in 1581 (as well as subsequent publications) tells us otherwise.
Real or not, Christman Genipperteinga's story is truly fascinating. Click through the following gallery to discover more about him.
Christman Genipperteinga is said to have been born circa 1569 in Körpen (today’s Kerpen), located around 12 miles (20 km) southwest of Cologne, in Germany.
Not much is known about his family or home. The story goes that, later in life, Genipperteinga moved to a cave complex in the forests of the Rhineland.
At some point, Christman Genipperteinga put together a gang of robbers. They would prey on travelers, robbing and killing them.
Reportedly, Genipperteinga kept a journal where he would record information about his murders.
Christman Genipperteinga is said to have killed a total of 964 people. His goal was apparently 1,000.
Of course, being a robber as well as a serial killer, Genipperteinga amassed a lot of money. About 70,000 Gulden (gold coins), according to some estimates.
For sake of comparison, an average laborer back then would earn around 300 Gulden per year. So it’s safe to say that he amassed enough money to last for the rest of his life.
Other versions of the story describe Christman Genipperteinga as having supernatural powers, such as the power of invisibility. These powers, of course, were given to him by the devil himself.
It probably got lonely for Genipperteinga in his cave, but finding a suitable partner in the traditional sense was not his thing. The German serial killer decided to do so by force.
According to legend, Christman Genipperteinga took a woman and held her in captivity for a number of years. Some sources say seven.
The woman was said to be the daughter of a cooper, who was kidnapped while traveling to Trier. Some versions say Genipperteinga made her his sex slave.
The killer and his hostage had a number of children as a result (some sources mention six). And this is when things get even more twisted. To begin with, Genipperteinga decided to take the life of his own children.
And if killing his kids was not horrific enough, legend has it that Genipperteinga stretched and hung up the corpses, which he liked to watch “dance” as they moved in the wind.
The story goes that he’d sing a song when the wind made the children’s bodies move. The lyrics roughly translate to “Dance, dear little children, dance, Genipperteinga, your father is making the dance for you.”
The woman found a way to escape, and according to the legend she came up with an inventive way to trace back the whereabouts of the serial killer.
The woman left a trail of peas, leading to Genipperteinga’s hideout. She went to the authorities, and they found the serial killer.
Interestingly, the trail of peas story can be found in a German fairytale. More specifically, in Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm's ‘The Robber Bridegroom.’
Legend has it that the brutal murderer was captured on May 27, 1581 by a group of some 30 armed men.
In the cave, the authorities found wine, coins, salted meat, and weapons.
The serial killer was apparently sentenced to die on June 17, 1581. The chosen method? The brutal breaking wheel.
According to the legend, the executioners kept Genipperteinga alive for longer… just so he could suffer a bit more. It's said that the serial killer was kept alive for nine days.
The first—and most famous—written account of the story is a 1581 pamphlet published by Caspar Herber, called Erschröckliche newe Zeytung Von einem Mörder Christman genandt ('Terrible new tidings about a murderer named Christman').
Whether Christman Genipperteinga was real or not is still up for debate. But there are many other similarities with other stories, in addition to the already mentioned trail of peas in the Brothers Grimm tale.
Another story with similar details includes that of a robber named Lippold, who kidnapped the daughter of the mayor. The Lippoldshöhle (pictured) indeed has a lot in common with Genipperteinga’s cave.
And so does the story of Daneil's Cave (pictured) in the district of Harz, Germany, where apparently a robber named Daneil used to hide, as did other robbers and highwaymen.
Other German robbers have similar stories, including Görtemicheel, Schwarzer Friedrich, Vieting, and Papedöne.
Sawney Bean and his incestuous cannibal family also lived in a cave.
Sources: (Grunge) (University of Pittsburgh)
See also: Zodiac: the serial killer who terrorized the US
Who was this 16th-century serial killer who reportedly killed 964 people?
Christman Genipperteinga is Germany's most prolific serial killer
LIFESTYLE Legend
Christman Genipperteinga is perhaps Germany's most prolific serial killer of the 16th century. Whether he existed or not, though, is up for debate. There isn't much credible historical evidence that proves that Genipperteinga was real, but a pamphlet published in 1581 (as well as subsequent publications) tells us otherwise.
Real or not, Christman Genipperteinga's story is truly fascinating. Click through the following gallery to discover more about him.