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Zeil Witch Tower Documentation Center

Zeil Witch Tower Documentation Center

Highlight • Historical Site

Zeil Witch Tower Documentation Center

Recommended by 44 hikers out of 49

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Naturpark Haßberge

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Location: Zeil a. Main, Haßberge, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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Tips

Naxxos

February 5, 2020

On November 20, 2011, the city of Zeil a. Main the Documentation and Information Center Zeiler Hexenturm, in which the history of witch persecution is clearly illustrated.

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maria

April 12, 2025

The narrow house, attached to the city wall and the city tower ("Witches' Tower"), was built in 1757/58 as a prison.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the building served as a residential building and was occasionally used for crafts. Since 2011, the house (together with the city tower and the former barn) has housed a documentation center on witch hunts with event and exhibition spaces. Zeil served as a place of execution for the Bishopric of Bamberg during the great witch hunts in the 17th century. The Zeil field name "Brennofen" (Fireplace) also bears witness to this terrible time.
Source: denkmal-zeil.de/detail/oberetor/14/ot14.php

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Ralph

November 12, 2023

Zeil a. In the 17th century, Main was the site of large-scale witch hunts and burnings as the place of execution for the Bamberg Monastery. Over 400 so-called “witches” were burned at that time.

A documentation in the original location of the city tower and in the attached Fronhaus provides information about this and sensitizes visitors to this complex topic. The processing of numerous documents, such as the diary of Johann Langhans, who himself became a victim, letters and protocols of the interrogations and torture of the people affected make this possible.

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Elevation 290 m

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Wednesday 17 December

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Location: Zeil a. Main, Haßberge, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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Zeil Witch Tower Documentation Center

1. Speiersgasse Historic Street – Schmachtenberg Castle Ruins loop from Zeil

2. Schmachtenberg Castle Ruins – Market Square, Zeil am Main loop from Zeil

3. Zeil am Main Market Square – Schmachtenberg Castle Ruins loop from Zeil am Main

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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