Medieval Horrors

 

After our kayaking, we spent a fascinating tour of the old town with guide Vesna. Told with humor and tragedy, she related the ways crime and punishment were dealt with in the 15th and 16th centuries. Legal prostitution, humane orphanages and abysmal convents were discussed. 

Favorite story was of a convicted master criminal caught and sentenced to hang. He was led to the gallows by the Pile (pee-lay) gates for execution. So many people crowded the drawbridge that it collapsed, killing 7. In the ensuing chaos, the criminal escaped. He was eventually caught and held in jail until the current stone bridge was built. This time the crowds were safe as he met his fate.