VVV Walking Tour – Witches in Roermond
Excursions and Guided Tours
Walking / Hiking Tour
Extra Tickets Available!
On September 27, October 17, and November 9 & 28 (evening walks), a guide from VVV Hart van Limburg will take you through Roermond and dive into one of the darker chapters of its history: the witch trials.
A Dark Past
The largest witch trials and executions in the Netherlands took place in Roermond in 1613 and 1614. At least 70 women and a few men were accused, prosecuted, and killed at the stake. Many of these women had professions closely linked to life and death, such as herbalists who made medicines and midwives who were easily blamed if a mother or child did not survive childbirth.
The ‘Witch Hammer’
Dominican monks described in the book The Witch Hammer (Malleus Maleficarum) how to recognize a witch and how she should be interrogated. Torture to force a confession was allowed and almost always used.
Exploring the Past
Together with a guide, you’ll go in search of traces from this grim chapter of history and take a look inside the Rat Tower one of the places where interrogations were held.
Additional Information
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Start: 2:00 PM at VVV Roermond, Markt 17 (except Friday, November 28: starts at 7:00 PM)
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Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
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Price: €6.50 per person
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Reservation required (maximum 20 participants)