Pappenheim has a fabulous collection of torture devices on display. Some are nefarious while others appear mild. For example, the rack (right) seems no big deal, until one notices the sharp nails on the rollers in the center!
Right, the "mask of shame," a nasty item designed to make one's life miserable. Masks like these were often fitted with a piece of sharp iron that was inserted into the mouth to depress the tongue. Fitted with barbs, any movement of the tongue or mouth, impossible to prevent, would cause serious lacerations as the barbs tore into the flesh. Pleasant!
Here we see the "Interrogation Stool." This "chair" is inlaid with sharp nails on all of the surfaces, so that the back, arms, buttocks, and feet are lacerated. Naturally, during questioning the subject would be struck or pushed, forcing his body to grind into the nails. Moreover, even sitting motionless was out of the question, and the victim would cause the injuries simply by fidgeting.
Right, a torture cross, designed to suspend the victim leaving him fully at the mercy of his interrogators.
These items are just a sampling of the torture devices on display. A unique collection indeed!
Left, one of the gates and watch houses. I believe this is between the inner and outer wards. Concrete paste has been used to restore some of the walls, but the structure is largely authentic.
Left, a view of one of the bastions of the outer ward. While ivy or plants growing on the walls may seem quaint, it is instead quite destructive for walls and other structures.
At this point I would like to tell my little story of my encounter at the kiosk where the admission was taken. I was eyeing a carved piece depicting Heinrich von Pappenheim, sword in hand, charging on a battlefield on horseback. The price was not on the piece, and I asked the woman what the price was. Now, I know my German has plenty of weaknesses, but I do know the differnece between "achtundneunzig" (98) and "achtzehn" (18). I could bet my life savings she said the latter. Yet, when I came back after going through the castle and went to purchase it, she now told me my 20 Euro bill was too little. Now I was confronted with an embarassing moment (other people were present). Embarassed or no, I didn't think the item was worth E98 (about $130). I demured and left. The only thing I can imagine here IF I heard her correctly the first time, was that she actually set me up trying to sell an overpriced item. In this day and age, one can never tell!
Left, the private chapel for the Pappenheim family. The family line were staunch Catholics and thus the reason why Heinrich supported the Imperial cause during the Thirty Years War. Flanking the altar are some examples of artifacts found at the site that were not cleaned up or restored.
