The pillory

The pillory was erected in front of the Town Hall in 1536. The necessary funds were raised from fines imposed on housemaids who dressed too fashionably, according to an inscription on the pillory. The sandstone column was crowned with a head surmounted by a man in Renaissance armour, the executioner, EXECUTOR IUSTICIE (executor of justice). He held a sword in his right hand and a wire rod in his left. Attached to the pillory were two shackles hanging from chains. Three iron links were used to thread the cords with which the condemned person was tied. The pillory was used mainly for flogging and mutilation punishments, i.e. the cutting off of limbs, and less frequently for capital punishment. The dates on the pillory refer to its numerous repairs. On 23 June 1925, a decision was taken to make a copy of it. The new pillory, the one that still stands in front of the Town Hall, is the work of the sculptor Marcin Rożek.