Medieval Crime Museum — Attraction in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

What went through my mind while I was here. How is it a fairytale-like town of Rothenburg O.D.T house such a grim Museum? How can one be so innovative, creative during the Middle Ages when its comes to all forms of torture and most equipments I witnessed had spikes in them And then there's that Humiliation Masks: For example- women who loves to spread gossips could earn the speaker a punishment of donning the hideous mask (As described in the museum: The long ears meant they heard everything, the glasses meant that they saw everything and the long tongue meant that they told everything as soon as it happened)The turbulent times of witch hunting engaged me the most. Being a woman is petrifying during the tumultuous 15th to 18th centuries, where during the European witch trials about 80% of the accused were women. Witch hunts were in fact women hunts. There is even a designated weapon called Witch catchers (with spikes) they were used to capture witches’ necks from a safe distance and almost all of them maimed and broken before meeting their fiery demise at the stake. It is the cocktail of irrational fear and a persecuting mentality led to the emergence of the witch hunts + a very evil manual called The Malleus Maleficarum and this deeply misogynistic book was written by a Catholic clergyman Heinrich Kramer. Did someone actually stated women are evils of nature, painted with fair colours? While some of the displays are rather horrifying but one can learn about the evolution of the German and European judicial system and implementation of criminal justice here too. Tips:Current Opening times Mon – Sun 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (last entry 3.15 p.m.) and the Cafeteria is closed due...

One of the better museums with English signage. As usual, not every item has English labels, but the overall commentary is in English, and all the basic descriptions are there. Very cool topic, they start you right off on the torture instruments in a dungeon setting, so it's quite atmospheric too. It's bizarre and fascinating how public shaming was a regular part of life, and that torture was used with "proper" cause to get confessions or "prove" innocence, even ahead of a guilty verdict. After you were found guilty, then you could look forward to more torture or execution! Fun! There is also (I think) an original iron maiden, very cool to see.

There was a bonus exhibit about animals and their involvement in crime and the legal system and such. I was really looking forward to this, but it was 100% German, a disappointing departure from other temp exhibits at other museums. Talking about crime, that's what this is ... At the end of it, I was very tempted to give only 2 or 3 stars. Go for the main museum for sure, don't come just for any bonus exhibits. Tip: Feel free to photo any placards not in English, which you can run through the Google translate app later. At least it makes for a slightly faster experience!

I read most things and spent not quite 3...

I loved this place!!!! I went with my husband. I didn't expect much from it but oh boy I was wrong ! They have many items, information in different languages, pictures, etc from where you can learn a lot! Hubby wasn't interested in going in but once inside he became very interested in the whole thing. The con is that they don't accept credit card do have your 7€ in cash ready when you get there. There are many restaurants and cafe close by where you can get a nice meal. It might be a little confusing inside so make sure you check the entrance ticket. On the back of it has a map for you to follow and don't miss anything from the museum. You can take pics and have tons of fun inside. I asked how long it would take us to check everything out and I was told that about 45 min to 1 hour but to be honest if you wanna read and check everything it might take you longer than that. Anyway, highly...