Photo: Alexandra Wagner

Richterstätte Galgenwald

Weiz, Styria

Castle Thannhausen has been the seat of the district court since the 17th century, which was responsible for serious criminal cases. As a visible symbol of jurisdiction, this execution site with the gallows anchored in the ground was used. Near a wayside shrine north of Castle Thannhausen, there is the so-called "Köpfangerlkreuz". It is believed that a execution site of Thannhausen was located at this spot. Further into the forest of the Einöd, on a hill narrowing the valley, three squat stone pillars, gallows, rise up. This is the second execution site where the high court of the former district court Thannhausen carried out its judgments. The execution site in the Einöd is one of the two still preserved and still legendary sites of sad remembrance to this day.