Rothenburg Kriminalmuseum: Is it worth it? the complete guide
The Rothenburg Kriminalmuseum, (Rothenburg Medieval Crime Museum) is one of the top attractions in the popular Bavarian village but is it worth your time?
I believe it is! This museum is a must-see for anyone who appreciates anything from the Middle Ages, is obsessed with medieval history, has a taste for the macabre, or anyone looking to just escape the oppressive midday crowds that descend upon the tiny little village.
Often referred to as the Rothenburg Torture Museum, this impressive collection offers a deep dive into the history of medieval torture and crime and punishment.
I made my first visit to this medieval crime and punishment museum on a school trip when I was around 8 years old, It was a truly educational experience! Here we are 45 years later, and I still remember that school trip! This truly unique museum keeps me coming back time and time again!
In this article, I will share my best tips for enjoying the museum and explain why it’s worth adding to your Rothenburg itinerary.
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| 🏫Need a place to stay? The old-world charm 700-year-old Hotel Gotisches Haus is just one block over! |
| 🍴Looking for a special dining experience? Zur Hoell is a 1,000-year-old Restaurant located just down the street! |
Table of Contents
Rothenburg Kriminalmuseum overview and why it’s worth a visit!
There are several very good museums in Rothenburg but the most popular museum in town is the medieval crime and instruments of torture museum. Here are the top reasons why it’s worth a visit!
Impressive Collection of Artifacts
This macabre museum boasts one of the world’s best collections of genuine medieval artifacts related to criminal law and torture devices.
The exhibits cover more than 1,000 years of crime history and bring to life a time when harsh punishment and humiliation were commonplace. With over 50,000 eerie displays, you will find all manner of torture instruments, shame masks, and executioner’s tools from the Middle Ages—including a real Iron Maiden! So cool!
A Great Escape from the Crowds
It’s well known that the charming medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is highly touristed. Midday crowds descend upon the cobblestone streets of the tiny Bavarian town, giving it more of a Disney Esque feel and trampling much of its charm.
My favorite way to escape the midday crowds is at one of Rothenburg’s many fascinating museums.
It’s a good place to try the famous Schneeballen
Schneeballen are all the craze in Rothenburg! Rick Steves, my favorite travel guru, says that if you want to try them consider purchasing one at the museum. Funds go to maintaining the museum.
My take on Schneeballen: I’ll pass! Honestly, these fried balls of (pie) dough just aren’t worth the calories for me. I’m all about grabbing one of the other delectable treats you’ll find around town instead! But if you simply must try one the museum is a good place to do it.
Visiting the Museum
Museum Location
The Rothenburg Kriminalmuseum lies nestled in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a unique destination on Germany’s Romantic Road. The adorable village is the best-preserved medieval town in Germany and treats visitors to a bit of shall we say, time travel!
Historic Setting: The Criminal Museum Rothenburg ob der Tauber is housed in a historic building, the former Rothenburg Johanniterkomturei or St. John’s monastery which was built in 1396.
Address: Burggasse 3 – 5 | DE- 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Museum Exterior
Before you ever even make it inside, you’ll get a good taste of medieval justice!
A medieval jail or prison wagon or tumbrel (alternatively tumbril) is a two-wheeled cart or wagon used to take prisoners to the guillotine during the French Revolution.
The Hanging Cage torture device, or Gibbet: The dead or dying bodies of criminals were hanged on public display in these iron cages to deter others from committing a crime.
It was sometimes used as a method of public execution where the criminal was left to die of exposure, thirst and/or starvation. The practice is also called “hanging in chains.”
“The pillory is a device…with holes for securing the head and hands, used during the medieval and renaissance periods for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse. The pillory is related to the stocks.” –Wikipedia
The Museum Tour
The museum of medieval torture can be explored on a self-tour. Each artifact includes a written explanation with detailed commentary in English, German, and Chinese.
You’ll start your tour in the stone vaulted cellar. Continue upstairs where on the first floor you’ll find old statute books, all things related to law in the Germanic-Franconian era, the church and the law, inquisition proceedings, public humiliation, the iron maiden, and more.
The ground floor is home to displays on corporal and death punishments, outlaws and executioners, and witches and witch-hunts.
The second floor concentrates on Medieval German law and superstitions.
You can get a glimpse of the museum and it’s exhibits in this very good video compliments of the museum itself:
The real story on Iron Maiden punishment
The Iron Maiden is known as one of the most infamous (and creepy) instruments of Medieval Torture. The museum’s authentic Iron Maiden Museum exhibit displays the menacing spikes and claustrophobic design and perfectly symbolizes the brutal methods used to extract confessions and maintain control during medieval times. The real story: The Iron Maiden was never actually used as a torture device. “The widespread medieval use of iron maidens is an 18th-century myth, bolstered by perceptions of the Middle Ages as an uncivilized era. But the idea of iron-maiden-like devices has been around for thousands of years, even if evidence for their actual use is shaky.” –Live Science
What you’ll find inside the museum
Visitors can explore the fascinating and unsettling evolution of the judicial system, from medieval times torture and death penalty offenses to the more modern legal proceedings at this German legal museum.
Torture Instruments
One of the highlights of the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Kriminalmuseum is its extensive array of torture instruments. These valuable exhibits provide a chilling glimpse into the methods of punishment and interrogation used during the medieval era, an up-close look at human cruelty!
Examples of instruments of punishment found inside the museum include the spiked torture chair, iron shoes, instruments used by the executioner, and my personal favorite, the shame masks!
Executioner Masks, fact of fable?
According to the museum, it is questionable whether they actually wore a mask to perform their duties. They state that these mask were actually just shame masks that were later interpreted to be the mask worn by the executioner.
It’s not surprising then that most of the photos I took inside the museum were of these creepy and sometimes comical medieval artifacts that were to be worn over the offender’s face and literally transform them into their crime!
These masks were designed to punish specific offenses. For example, the long ears, big nose, and big tongue devices were used to publicly shame individuals who were deemed to have committed offenses such as gossiping, lying, or placing themselves in other people’s business.
These instruments of punishment serve as a reminder of the ways in which societal norms were enforced through fear and humiliation.
This one is kind of crazy and would be completely humiliating to wear on display for the whole town to see!
In the tongue of this iron shame mask is a whistle, which would make a sound with every breath of the unfortunate soul who was forced to wear it:
Here’s a collection of some more of my favorite masks:
This is an authentic chastity belt folks. YIKES! This honestly had to be the worst form of torture! How would you clean yourself? Can you imagine the smell!
Medieval Legal History artifacts
In addition to its torture instruments, the Rothenburg Kriminalmuseum also features an impressive collection of copper etchings, court documents, and other artifacts that provide insight into the years of legal history of the Holy Roman Empire. I particularly liked the ancient texts with their colorful illustrations. They are basically gruesome art!
The museum also delves into the history of law enforcement and the role of societal norms in shaping the justice system. Visitors can learn about the significant court cases and legal folklore that influenced the legal landscape of medieval Europe.
Tickets and Opening Hours
tickets
It is not necessary to book ahead of time to the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Medieval Crime Museum. You can simply visit the ticket office to purchase your tickets on the day of.
If you would like to guarantee your visit, you can book online and get more information at the Medieval Crime Museum Rothenburg website
Prices: between € 6.50 and € 9.50
Phone: +49 9861 5359
Purchase tickets on the museum’s offical website: Kriminalmuseum
Opening Hours
Crime and Punishment Museum hours:
Daily from 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM*
*Opening times vary depending on the season. Last admission: 05:15 PM
Special Exhibition: Luther and the Witches
The German legal history museum offers special exhibitions and is the current location of the Luther and the Witches Exhibit which covers topics related to the witch craze in Europe and the the impact of Martin Luther on the matter.
Do tales of witches really peak your interest? Here’s a list of the best witchy places to visit in Europe!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Crime Museum Located in rothenburg?
The criminal justice museum is located in the heart of the old town in Rothenburg, within the medieval town walls. You’ll find it tucked away around the corner from the market square on Burggasse street.
How much time do I need at the Kriminalmuseum in Rothenburg?
This criminological museum is quite comprehensive with tens of thousands of exhibits. Real history buffs could spend the whole day here reading each and every item description! If you’re in a rush you could breeze through in about an hour hitting the museum of torture highlights. I’d personally give it about two hours to adequately explore.
Is the Crime Museum in Rothenburg suitable for young children?
Of course this should be based on each individual child because some are more sensitive than others but I believe it is suitable for young children. As stated, I was around 8-years-old on my first visit. Young children likely won’t even realize the gravity of the displays, older children may be fascinated by the slightly creepy historical nature of the museum. I know I was.
Conclusion
The Rothenburg Kriminalmuseum stands as a testament to the fascinating and often brutal history of medieval crime and punishment.
Through its impressive exhibits and detailed commentary, the medieval museum offers visitors a chance to step back in time and explore the darker side of medieval Europe, the evolution of the judicial system, chilling torture instruments AND wow, that experience was a heavy one!
If you need to shake off the heaviness of the experience, try one of these fun Rothenburg activities.
Other things to do in Rothenburg
- walk the town wall (you’ll find my name on a plaque!)
- Head to the market square for people watching, cafe sitting, and to see the clock tower show!
- Explore the fanatic Castle Garden
- Visit the world-famous Käthe-Wohlfahrt store and Christmas Museum
- Take one of Rothenburg’s guided tours, like the popular Night Watchman Tour
- Visit one of the town’s other museums: Check out my Rothenburg ob der Tauber museum guide!
- More! Complete list of the Top Things to Do in Medieval Rothenburg
Want to hear more about my travels around Germany? You may be interested in my Germany page! and don’t forget to check out my “Travel Resources” page for more great resources for booking your trip from hotels to tours to travel insurance (yes you need it!)
