The Witches’ Tower was built In the 15th century as one of the elements of town’s fortification system. In the 18th century, when the defense walls lost their importance, it was rebuilt as a prison for women who were accused of witchcraft.
The last death sentence was carried out in 1701 and as a consequence Katarina Zimmermann , known as Trina Papisten , who was a butcher’s wife, was burn at the stake because she was too competitive to the others butchers. After ”God judgment”, according to which a woman who does not drown after swimming in a river is a witch, Katarina was burnt.
The Witches’ Tower which was destroyed during the war was rebuilt and its now a seat of the Baltic Art Gallery .