Mittelalterliches Foltermuseum

The Mittelalterliche Foltermuseum is a museum in Rüdesheim am Rhein housed within three underground levels and vaulted cellars. The collection fills the entire space with historical items related to medieval justice and punishment, each piece showing how the legal system functioned during that era.

The collection displays items from the 14th to 16th centuries, when such devices were used during questioning and as part of the legal punishment system. The Inquisition shaped this period significantly and made these devices tools of law enforcement.

The displays show how medieval society viewed justice and punishment through the lens of the era's legal system. Artworks on the walls depict daily life and social structures of that time, offering insight into how people lived under these harsh rules.

The visit requires some physical readiness since the cellar passages are narrow and dark with numerous staircases to navigate. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and allow enough time to explore all three levels at your own pace.

The museum houses specialized devices like pillories, stretching racks, knee screws, and throat claws that document the variety and specificity of those practices. Such objects are rarely seen complete in a single collection, giving visitors a particularly direct look at how these methods actually worked.

Location: Rüdesheim am Rhein

Website: http://foltermuseum.com

GPS coordinates: 49.97989,7.92230

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:42