Hamelin Prison, Historical prison complex in Hamelin, Germany
This establishment is a hotel within the walls of a former correctional facility located between the old town and the Weser River. Multiple wings surround inner courtyards with old cobblestones, and the facades show arched windows and layered red brickwork.
A stockade opened here in 1698 to hold prisoners who were chained to posts overnight while building fortifications each day. British authorities operated an execution site within these walls from 1945 to 1949, carrying out 156 death sentences against convicted war criminals.
Guests now sleep in rooms with preserved cell doors and thick walls that recall the building's former role. Common areas throughout the complex still show elements of prison architecture such as bars and narrow windows.
The complex sits near the pedestrian zone and a few minutes from the riverbank, making it easy to walk to the old town and the Pied Piper landmarks. Visitors passing through the heavy doors and across the old cobbles should watch for uneven surfaces and occasionally low passageways.
A wooden post remains standing in one corner of the courtyard where forced laborers were chained overnight to prevent escape. Some guest rooms retain the original locks and bolting mechanisms from the facility's time as a prison.
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