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All Slovakia Levoča Levoča Cage of Shame

Levoča Cage of Shame

Too much gossip or just missing curfew could land you in here for a couple of days.

Levoča, Slovakia

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ahvenas
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The Cage of Shame   ahvenas (Atlas Obscura User)
The Cage of Shame   ahvenas (Atlas Obscura User)
On the Town Square   ahvenas (Atlas Obscura User)
The Cage is alongside the old Town Hall   Tomicenko
The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site   ahvenas (Atlas Obscura User)
What your step, kid   Image capture May 2012
The old Town Square - that’s the shadow of the Cage at the bottom right   PM
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About

Public shaming has, sadly, a long history. Stocks and pillories were used for centuries to put criminals and troublemakers on public display, to try and keep a town’s rowdier elements in check. Throughout parts of Europe there was another form of humiliation as punishment, called the “cage of shame.”

Such a cage can be found in Levoča, a small Slovakian town that dates to the 16th century. Fashioned from wrought iron, it looks more like a big bird cage than anything else. In keeping with its reformatory intent, there is a small metal heart worked into the design of the door, as if to welcome the next delinquent and whisper “this is for your own good.”

In order to maximize the dishonor, the cage was often used during markets, fairs and festivals, when crowds were teeming. Miscreants would be locked up for any number of offenses: excessive gossiping, cheating on your spouse, public drunkenness, or just staying out too late could all land you inside for a couple of days, where you’d be pelted by rocks and rotten vegetables, or just plain old spit.

You can find cages of shame in other Slovakian towns, but this one is said to be the biggest and most historical. It’s in the old Town Square, which is bordered by the renaissance Town Hall, colorful medieval row houses, and a 14th century Church of St. James. The cage is kept locked most of the time, but occasionally it’s opened up for special events. On those days feel free to pop inside for a shameful gag photo.

Related Tags

Prisons Renaissance Crime And Punishment Medieval

Know Before You Go

Levoča is in eastern Slovakia, in the richly historical region of Spiš. The Cage of Shame is in the town square, in front of the old Town Hall (which is now a museum).

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ahvenas

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January 3, 2017

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  • http://slovakia.travel/en/cage-of-shame-in-levoca-opened-for-public
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levo%C4%8Da
Levoča Cage of Shame
2 Námestie Majstra Pavla
Levoča
Slovakia
49.025571, 20.588753
Get Directions

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