The Witches’ Tower Of Babenhausen stands guard along the ancient wall that once surrounded this small nostalgic town located 30 minutes drive from Frankfurt. Although made of stone and mortar, the tower has a history of misery, fear and death embedded in its walls.
I backed away from the black opening at the bottom of the Witches Tower. Knowing that women, men, children and animals suspected of indulging in sorcery met their doom in this sad dark space was unsettling.
The Witches’ Tower Of Babenhausen
Though this era in history has been long passed, there is an unshakable eeriness about this ancient prison. The people who once occupied this horrible space endured physical and mental torture and misery. Fear and dread consumed them.
The knowledge that soon they would be hung from the very wood rafters crossing above them would have been horrifying.
Prison Of The Witches’ Tower
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I returned to my bicycle and looked up at the exposed beams crossing the top of the tower where the hangings were carried out. I felt sad as I stood before the ruins of this medieval tower.
The Hexenturm (Witches’ Tower) definitely emitted an ominous air. Its initial design was to protect however, events altered its place in history.
In Front Of The Witches’ Tower
I loved living in Babenhausen! The town is charming with it’s bakeries, bike shops and quaint stores dating back to around the late 1200s. It is perfectly located within a sea of rolling fields, interconnecting bicycle paths and charming neighborhoods while just a few minutes drive from the larger towns of Darmstadt and Aschaffenburg.
As with most towns in the Hesse region of Germany, Babenhausen experienced superstition driven witch trials during the medieval era. This conviction in witchery broke out due to the severely ravaged results of the Thirty Years War and really bad weather.
Crops destroyed by the elements, plague and unusual actions were also blamed on sorcery and witchcraft. Committees were created to investigate and prosecute individuals deemed suspicious.
Trials ended in convictions and sentencing. The condemned would then meet his or her end by way of a severe and swift execution.
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By the time the last “witch” was executed in Europe, 40,000 to 60,000 people had been executed. This number was devastatingly large as the population was a great deal smaller then it is today.
As I continue biking towards my favorite restaurant in town, I look at the charming 500 year old homes/shops lining the cobblestone street. I watch people talk and laugh as they go about their day. I listen to the church bell chimes in the cozy town square.
Other then the Witches’ Tower, there is no sign of this dark era to be found.
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Opening the familiar doors of the restaurant, Zum Adler, I am greeted by the wonderful people of this town. The fabulous aroma of delicious food cooking fills my world erasing all thoughts of witch trials and witch towers from my mind.
At least until the bicycle path takes me once again to that secluded unnerving lane of tragic history where the Witches’ Tower of Babenhausen resides.
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CLICK IMAGE TO STAY IN BABENHAUSEN GERMANY OR FOR MORE HOTEL AND INN AVAILABILITIES BOOKING.COM BABENHAUSEN
Landhotel Zur Bretzel
Hotel Deutscher Hof
Hotel Residenz Babenhausen Superior
CLICK IMAGES TO STAY AT NEARBY ASCHAFFENBURG
Hotel Wilder Mann
Schlosshotel Weyberhofe
Schlosshotel Mespelbrunn
Hotel Dalberg
CLICK IMAGE FOR UNIQUE STAYS IN NEARBY DARMSTADT
Oberwaldhaus
Hotel Jagdschloss Kranichstein
Arthotel ANA Victory
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