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All Germany Nuremberg Henkerhaus

Henkerhaus

Nestled on the banks of a river in Nuremberg is a small museum that was once home of the city's official executioner.

Nuremberg, Germany

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Nic Gusset
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Henkerhaus   RubĂ©n Vique on Flickr
Henkerhaus   T.J. Morton on Flickr
Henkerhaus   Boris Ott on Flickr
The only known portrait of Franz Schmidt.   Wikipedia
Hand   kelpforest / Atlas Obscura User
The Hangman’s Bridge and Tower over the Pegnitz, next to the old wine depot.   JamazingClayton / Atlas Obscura User
The Henkerhaus over the Pegnitz river.   JamazingClayton / Atlas Obscura User
The museum helps visitors get in touch with the ‘human’ in the executioner’s role.   JamazingClayton / Atlas Obscura User
The Hangman’s Bridge and Tower over the Pegnitz, next to the old wine depot.   JamazingClayton / Atlas Obscura User
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In the 16th century, being a state executioner was a grim but rewarding gig even coming with its own lovely little residence overlooking the Pegnitz river. The history of the position and its strangely beloved poster boy are remembered in the small Henkerhaus museum that now lives in the executioner's former residence.

While being Nuremberg's official executioner had the perks of pay and lodging, it did not make one very popular, which is unsurprising considering their license to torture and kill accused criminals. Despite the position's unpopularity, Franz Schmidt, the city's executioner from 1578 to 1617 managed to become a downright community celebrity during his tenure. Schmidt was known to many of the city's citizens as "Meister Franz" while he held the job, completing a career total of 361 executions. Also strange for a man of his profession, Schmidt kept detailed diaries of the criminals he killed including the method, giving us one of our best glimpses into the German law of the day.

Today Schidmt's former state-issued residence holds information about his life and diaries. The current museum only consists of a few rooms, and a distinct lack of graphic displays considering the subject matter. However the home's position overlooking the picturesque river is reported to offer one of the more lovely views of Nuremberg.     

Related Tags

Execution Eccentric Homes Museums And Collections Museums Homes

Know Before You Go

The museum is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from April to December. The opening hours are 2 to 6 p.m.

Community Contributors

Added By

alleywaykid

Edited By

JamazingClayton, Hermit09, EricGrundhauser, kelpforest

  • JamazingClayton
  • Hermit09
  • EricGrundhauser
  • kelpforest

Published

October 28, 2014

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  • http://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/sehen-erkunden/museen/weitere-museen/d/museum-henkerhaus.html
  • http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henkerturm_(N%C3%BCrnberg)
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Schmidt_(executioner)
Henkerhaus
Trodelmarkt 58
Nuremberg, 90403
Germany
49.453289, 11.073317
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