Ebeltoft Town Hall

Facts

Dolls' house by mistake

By Søren Bitsch Christensen, Stadsarkivar (21 stories)

Ebeltoft Town Hall is located on the town square where the old streets of Adelsgade, Juulsbakke/Nedergade and Overgade meet. The town hall was built in 1789 on almost the same site as the first town hall from 1576. Originally it had white-washed walls in the Classicist style. By 1840 the town hall was too small and a new one was built next door. Until 1909 it was a private residence, although it also served as premises for the night watchmen and others. The town hall was given its almost dolls' house-like appearance in 1909 when it was converted into a museum. In the mistaken belief that it was the original town hall from the 16th century, it was done up in the Renaissance style.

Public place

Selected entry

The torture of Maren Nielsdatter

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Story written by Søren Bitsch Christensen

Time / Periode 1600 1909

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" The cellars under the town hall contained the town gaol. In the 17th century a number of the townswomen were kept in this dungeon and even tortured for alleged witchcraft or colluding with the Devil himself. In 1686, the executioner from Aarhus was summoned to administer torture to the alleged witch Maren Nielsdatter. Afterwards he diligently reported that Maren had been tortured "twice with two leg screws and one to the finger and naught more or otherwise, yet on two occasions she confessed to naught". Later she confessed before the town council. Prisoners were often kept in chains and with their hands bound; but in the history of the gaol, several prisoners still managed to dig their way out or pick the locks. "