Henkerturm

The Henkerturm (Hangman's Tower) is a historic wall tower at the western tip of Trödelmarkt Island in the Pegnitz River. It was built in the early 14th century as part of the river crossing and originally protected the point where the Pegnitz flows out of the city. After the last city fortifications were built, it lost its military significance, and the city's executioner moved into the adjoining rooms built over the bridge. Today the Henkerhaus (Hangman's House) there is home to a museum on the criminal history of Nuremberg. Drawing on the diary of the executioner Franz Schmidt, visitors can gain insight into the city's legal history and see the historic architecture of the round tower and the connected bridge.