August 27, 2012 1.17 pm This story is over 139 months old

Torture exhibition nears end of four-month run

Pain instruments: The Collection museum is preparing for the final week of its Medieval Torture Instruments exhibition.
Medieval Torture Instruments organiser Zbigniew Perzyna (L) stretches Kamila Gierko (R)

The Collection museum is preparing for the final week of its Medieval Torture Instruments exhibition.

Since opening on May 19, over 6,000 visitors have stepped back in time to see how people were treated in the Middle Ages.

In May, The Lincolnite picked out the top 5 devices and one of them became the most popular attraction.

The Virgin of Nuremberg, commonly known as the Iron Maiden has been a macabre hit. Victims were placed inside a case made to look like a woman. Wooden spikes lined the interior and were expertly positioned so that they didn’t pierce any internal organs but caused extreme pain.

Another gruesome favourite has been the Inquisition Chair. It was covered in spikes and anyone who had to sit on it would have endured many stab wounds across their body. They were strapped in and the only way to escape would have been to confess their crimes.

However, some of the alleged crimes included being a witch and causing a storm. The use of torture to question people eventually went out of favour as society realised witchcraft was a myth.

After nearly four months, the Medial Torture Instruments exhibition will close on Sunday, September 2.

Collections Access Assistant Maggie Warren previously noted that Lincoln is the UK premiere of the event, saying: “This is the first time this touring exhibition has been shown in Britain.”