Pillory, Medieval pillory at Old Market Square, Poznań, Poland
The Pillory of Poznań is an eight-sided Gothic column topped with a statue of an executioner holding a raised sword, standing near the Town Hall at the Old Market Square. The structure is made of stone and crowned by this distinctive executioner figure.
The stone pillar was built in 1535 and replaced an earlier wooden post that had stood before it. Its construction was funded by fines collected from servants who wore expensive clothes.
The structure shows how medieval justice worked through public punishment, with the executioner figure representing law enforcement in the city's past.
The original executioner statue now resides in the Museum of History of Poznań, while visitors can view a 1925 replica created by sculptor Marcin Rożek at the site. The replica allows you to see the characteristic figure clearly without barriers.
The executioner figure wears Crusader clothing, setting this structure apart from other medieval punishment installations in European cities. This unusual depiction makes it a notable example of local craftsmanship.
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