local
Torture Museums in Europe
By Rick Steves at Waco Tribune-Herald
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
The endless security lines at the airport may seem torturous — but they are child's play compared with what heretics and criminals faced in the Middle Ages. Medieval torture was used both to extract confessions and to punish the convicted…
Why this matters in The Waco
The Waco Tribune-Herald's report on medieval torture museums in Europe may seem like a distant topic, but it has relevance to local discussions on criminal justice and public safety. As McLennan County continues to navigate its own approaches to law enforcement and punishment, the historical context of torture as a means of extracting confessions or punishing the convicted can inform contemporary debates. In Waco, community members and city officials often engage in conversations about balancing punishment with rehabilitation and restorative justice. By considering the darker aspects of medieval justice, locals can better appreciate the progress made in humane treatment of prisoners and the ongoing need to ensure that justice is served without resorting to inhumane practices. This historical perspective can also prompt Waco residents to think critically about the role of punishment in their own community's justice system.
About this story
Original reporting by Waco Tribune-Herald . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Waco Tribune-Herald . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: Waco Tribune-Herald ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Waco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The endless security lines at the airport may seem torturous — but they are child's play compared with what heretics and criminals faced in the Middle Ages. Medieval torture was used both to extract confessions and to punish the convicted…
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by Waco Tribune-Herald and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rick Steves at Waco Tribune-Herald. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter