Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum), Rothenburg

This museum is fascinating! They offer learning of both the evolution of punishment and laws through history with a focus on medieval Europe. My kids (both under 10) really liked the exhibits about school discipline and the dioramas. Many displays prompted us to have family conversations about why standard laws and rules are important for peoples lives and how they can foster expectations of behavior and order. We all thought the gossip masks were hilarious and maybe they should be brought back (j/k). Most signs are in both German and English and offer more information then I read but I really enjoyed all of it!

Great place! Very interesting and well laid out. Nearly everything in English as well, and staff able to answer questions. Worth it for sure.

Excellent view of law and punishment. See books from 1200s with illustrations. Fascinating place. Got lost in history for 5 hours. Well worth the visit and one of our highlights. 2014.

Very interesting and I'm glad I didn't live during that era. It was worth the visit but could have been organized better.

One of the better museums with English signage. As usual, not every item has English labels, but the overall commentary is in English, and all the basic descriptions are there. Very cool topic, they start you right off on the torture instruments in a dungeon setting, so it's quite atmospheric too. It's bizarre and fascinating how public shaming was a regular part of life, and that torture was used with "proper" cause to get confessions or "prove" innocence, even ahead of a guilty verdict. After you were found guilty, then you could look forward to more torture or execution! Fun! There is also (I think) an original iron maiden, very cool to see. There was a bonus exhibit about animals and their involvement in crime and the legal system and such. I was really looking forward to this, but it was 100% German, a disappointing departure from other temp exhibits at other museums. Talking about crime, that's what this is ... At the end of it, I was very tempted to give only 2 or 3 stars. Go for the main museum for sure, don't come just for any bonus exhibits. Tip: Feel free to photo any placards not in English, which you can run through the Google translate app later. At least it makes for a slightly faster experience! I read most things and spent not quite 3 hours in total.