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Museums / Oudewater

Utrecht · Culture & daily life

De Heksenwaag examines accusation and evidence

In Oudewater, a historic weigh house tells of the European witch persecutions and of a weighing procedure in which, according to the museum, no one was declared a witch.

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Weighing as counter-evidence

Elsewhere, weight was misused in accusations. See how the Oudewater procedure is explained and what role the privilege attributed to Charles V played in it.

From person to suspect

The display discusses language, exclusion and dehumanisation between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. Follow one case carefully and distinguish between historical source and present-day interpretation.

On the scales yourself

Ask in advance whether weighing yourself is part of the visit. During the guided tour, discuss what role weight played in accusations according to the museum’s explanation, and what such a measurement could and could not prove.

Before you go

Summer Tuesday–Sunday, with Mondays only in July and August; winter weekends only, and on weekdays only for booked groups.

Sources

This first edition has been compiled from collected museum information. Not all of the information has yet been confirmed by the museum. Viewing tips are by the editorial team. The sources used are listed below.

  1. Research card 0781 — Museum De Heksenwaag

    Source reference supplied; independent source check still needed. Unverified reference from a supplied research card; content, authority and currency still to be checked independently.

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