Witches in Roermond – Mysterious Stories

In 1613 and 1614, Roermond was the scene of the largest witch trials in the Netherlands. This period marks a dark chapter in history. More than sixty people, about ninety percent of them women were accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. The witch hysteria was heavily influenced by writings from Dominican priests, such as the Malleus Maleficarum (Witch Hammer) from 1487, a practical handbook for church and secular courts. These texts emphasized extreme hatred of women, making them the main victims of suspicion and persecution. Fear of poor harvests, disease, and disaster pushed society to find scapegoats, turning Roermond into a place of fear and helplessness.

From Witch Tower to Rat Tower

On Grote Kerkstraat, near the St. Christopher’s Cathedral, stands the Rat Tower, one of the remaining fortress towers of Roermond. The round corner tower dates from the late 14th century and was once part of the city wall, which had twenty towers in total.

Over the centuries, the tower changed names and functions several times. It was originally called the Bell Tower or Golden Tower. In the early 17th century, it became known as the Witch Tower because it served as a prison for women accused of witchcraft. By the 18th century, the tower fell into disrepair, and the surrounding area was used as a garbage dump. That’s when it got the name Rat Tower.

The Gallows Hill

After their sentencing, the victims were taken to Gallows Hill, located on the outskirts of the city near the current Kapel in ’t Zand. There, they were strangled or burned alive. Often, their bodies were left hanging as a frightening warning to others. Today, a memorial at this site remembers this grim period.

Women Under Fire

Mostly women were the victims: widows, herbalists, independent women, or simply women who were just a little different from the rest. Their knowledge, behavior, or even a quarrel with neighbors could be enough to accuse them of witchcraft.

Echoes from the Past to the Present

Roermond does not shy away from this grim history. At the Rat Tower, the National Witch Monument is being placed to honor the victims and serve as a warning for the future. Even today, women around the world still face prejudice, inequality, and violence. In the Netherlands, on average, a woman dies every eight days due to femicide. The story of the witches of Roermond shows how dangerous it is when fear and power lead to the exclusion and destruction of women’s lives. The monument calls on us to stay vigilant and to keep fighting for safety, respect, and equal opportunities.

Image; Malleus Maleficarum (Witch Hammer)  https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/obf_images/9b/44/a3099ffc223cb9f24…;
Gallery: https://wellcomeimages.org/indexplus/image/L0000980.html Wellcome Collection gallery (2018-03-30): https://wellcomecollection.org/works/tdadmt by CC-BY-4.0, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35858408