Torture Museums

[Aurelius_PG]

Just got back from a jaunt to Amsterdam. I was not surprised to see that they had a 'torture museum' being advertised, as every other self-respecting tourist city does. I didn't visit, and haven't been to one for many years despite (or because of) some of my BDSM predilections.

Anyway, just wondering what the folks here think of them? These museums always seem quite successful in visitor numbers. Perhaps you think it's strange that I should ask, but what's the popular appeal of seeing man's inhumanity to man?

With deference to Amsterdam's wonderful attractions, I visited the Rijksmuseum this morning and have now seen enough men in ruffs to last me a lifetime!

 

[NickiC]

Just got back from a jaunt to Amsterdam. I was not surprised to see that they had a 'torture museum' being advertised, as every other self-respecting tourist city does. I didn't visit, and haven't been to one for many years despite (or because of) some of my BDSM predilections.

Anyway, just wondering what the folks here think of them? These museums always seem quite successful in visitor numbers. Perhaps you think it's strange that I should ask, but what's the popular appeal of seeing man's inhumanity to man?

With deference to Amsterdam's wonderful attractions, I visited the Rijksmuseum this morning and have now seen enough men in ruffs to last me a lifetime!

Love your name. I think so much is sheer fascination. It is like Robert Mapplethorpe who made such beautiful photography of scenes that most people found offensive. To see your fantasy in front of you in a visual form is very powerful.

 

[ecstaticsub]

The Rothenburg Criminal Museum in Germany is a truly fascinating museum.

http://www.kriminalmuseum.rothenburg.de/Englisch/engframe.htm

I can't tell you why I find it so interesting, I just do.

 

[desertslave]

Just got back from a jaunt to Amsterdam. I was not surprised to see that they had a 'torture museum' being advertised, as every other self-respecting tourist city does. I didn't visit, and haven't been to one for many years despite (or because of) some of my BDSM predilections.

Anyway, just wondering what the folks here think of them? These museums always seem quite successful in visitor numbers. Perhaps you think it's strange that I should ask, but what's the popular appeal of seeing man's inhumanity to man?

With deference to Amsterdam's wonderful attractions, I visited the Rijksmuseum this morning and have now seen enough men in ruffs to last me a lifetime!

It's not ALL men in ruffs, but there certainly are a bunch! Try the Van Gogh Museum or the Tropenmuseum for a change of pace. If you like architecture, the Oude Kerk is wonderful.

The only torture 'museum' I've been to as a small dungeon collection at Warwick Castle in the UK. It had the obligatory pear, iron maiden, and a few decrepit looking whips. Meh!

 

[IrisAlthea]

I've only been to the one in Prague, right by the Karluv bridge.
I thought it would be a bit like the old dungeons in castles, but there was so much horror.
I think it fascinates people like scary movies do but for me, the Prague museum didn't give me that kind of experience.
I came out with much the same horror and sadness as I have felt visiting concentration camps.

I think it is a good thing that these kinds of places exist, because we need to remember what human being are able to do to each other. We are so prone to being theoretical about these things when we think we are doing something for a good cause.

 

[1AliceWonder]

Just got back from a jaunt to Amsterdam. I was not surprised to see that they had a 'torture museum' being advertised, as every other self-respecting tourist city does. I didn't visit, and haven't been to one for many years despite (or because of) some of my BDSM predilections.

Anyway, just wondering what the folks here think of them? These museums always seem quite successful in visitor numbers. Perhaps you think it's strange that I should ask, but what's the popular appeal of seeing man's inhumanity to man?

With deference to Amsterdam's wonderful attractions, I visited the Rijksmuseum this morning and have now seen enough men in ruffs to last me a lifetime!

...I thought this was a thread about my mother-in-laws house.

 

[KoPilot]

I like em because of the macabre factor more than anything else.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I hate them and won't go into them because the intent on display is so completely opposite any intent of mine in any way whatsoever.

 

[Allyourbase]

I work in Amsterdam, and haven't been to the torture museum. I fear it'll ruin my sex life.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

from some articles I've read, there's actually a fair number of "torture devices" out there that are entirely fabricated in regards to their historical existence. Kind of spoiled the whole idea for me.

I think people enjoy them out of a macabre interest and fascination with "evil". Even if one disagrees, I find most people find such horrible acts of man to be intriguing for any number of reasons.

 

[Endless_Night]

I've been to the London dungeons and a similar place in Scotland. Attendance to the exhibits was impressive, but I have to admit I left me rather queasy. Admittedly, I'm not really a fan of gore.

< from some articles I've read, there's actually a fair number of "torture devices" out there that are entirely fabricated in regards to their historical existence. Kind of spoiled the whole idea for me. >

Interesting. I had no idea....

 

[KoPilot]

Interesting. I had no idea....

I think the Iron Maidrn is probably the most infamous example of this?

 

[Allyourbase]

I think the Iron Maidrn is probably the most infamous example of this?

Yknow I didn't know that until recently. I was actually relieved. Now just to find a way not to think of all those other horrible devices.

My sister, who has worked in various musea, once applied for a job in the dungeons of The Hague (if I remember correctly). She'd be the tour guide of school classes (!). She would be telling them about the torture techniques for the inmates there. She didn't take the job. Not just because her stomach turned taking the tour herself. One of the things she didn't think she could take was annoying kids making total jokes out of the horror.

 

[PattyPDX]

The Rothenburg Criminal Museum in Germany is a truly fascinating museum.

http://www.kriminalmuseum.rothenburg.de/Englisch/engframe.htm

I can't tell you why I find it so interesting, I just do.

I'm new here but would like to second the museum of torture implements in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

http://www.kriminalmuseum.rothenburg.de/Englisch/whatframe.htm

Rothenburg is well worth a day trip on any visit to Germany. Its a wonderfully preserved medieval town. Very beautiful.