Some reading the title might be expecting an article on the Heavy Metal band from the 80’s featuring the 5 foot tall madman with an operatic voice, however, it’s not. Instead, I’m talking about THE actual Iron Maiden, the famous torture device from medieval times which is so utterly dark and inhumane, you might wonder what sort of human would employ this sort of device...
Some reading the title might be expecting an article on the Heavy Metal band from the 80’s featuring the 5 foot tall madman with an operatic voice, however, it’s not. Instead, I’m talking about THE actual Iron Maiden, the famous torture device from medieval times which is so utterly dark and inhumane, you might wonder what sort of human would employ this sort of device. It is a casket shaped device that stands about six feet tall, with a door that opens to a hollow interior. Lining the upper quadrant are six-inch long metal spikes. Along the door you’ll find a device that looks something like a submarine hatch. This feature allows the jailer to crank the door tighter and tighter, slowly driving the spikes into the unfortunate person inside.
That is the real Iron Maiden, and it is but one of hundreds of devices used over the centuries to punish and torture criminals, and you will find it in the Rome Crime Museum. For those who have no interest in art and antiquities, Rome offers this morbid gem of a curiosity, inside which is housed not only a Crime museum, but several local Police departments. So if you visit, expect to be lightly frisked; but don’t be alarmed.
Once inside, you’ll find three sections that deal with the differing categories of crimes, modern and ancient detective techniques and the most popular of all, the Punishment and Crimes section. Which incidentally, is by a wide margin the most popular attraction for visitors. Included in this section are a wide variety of brutal and macabre devices used over the ages to either punish criminals or coax confessions out of the unbelievers.
Hotels in Rome of all sorts offer walking tours and package deals to see the city on your own terms and Rome Hotels also help arrange transportation or maps to make sure you can get where you’d like to go.
Adrian Fisher is a London-based freelance journalist with a mission to make you a better and happier human being. Drawing attention to the peculiarities of life in the modern age is all part of the package.Check out his other articles for everything you need to know about travel destinations and hotels.
