Hochgericht Hanau

Hochgericht Hanau is a preserved execution site from the 19th century with a circular stone enclosure about 13 meters in diameter. The structure consists of a stone wall roughly 2 meters high filled with earth, with interior stairs leading up to the raised platform where sentences were carried out.

The site was built in 1839 by the Electorate of Hesse to replace an earlier execution ground. It remained in use until the final execution occurred in 1861.

The site reflects how justice was carried out in the past and the role executions played in the community. Visitors can understand how public punishment was a major event that drew entire towns.

The site is located within a residential area developed on former US Army grounds and remains accessible to visitors through marked pathways. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploration requires walking along designated routes.

The final execution at this location in 1861 attracted a massive crowd, as such events were conducted in public for all to witness. These large gatherings reveal how differently society once viewed and experienced justice.