Tour de la dette, Medieval tower in Nuremberg, Germany
The Schuldturm is a medieval stone tower in Nuremberg with thick walls and narrow windows built specifically to hold debtors unable to pay. The structure displays the defensive building methods that were standard for detention facilities in that era.
The tower was built in 1323 as a detention facility for debtors unable to pay their debts. It remained a key part of Nuremberg's medieval justice system for centuries.
The tower shows how debtors were punished in medieval times by being locked away until they paid what they owed. The connection between money and freedom was part of daily life in the city back then.
The tower stands near Nuremberg Cathedral and the Main Market, making it convenient to visit while exploring the historic center. Informational displays inside explain the medieval legal system and how the facility was used.
The tower is one of the few preserved debtor prisons from medieval Germany and retains much of its original character. Visitors can see how cramped the rooms were and experience the harsh conditions prisoners faced.
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