Richtplatz

The Richtplatz is located exactly on the border between North Rhine-Westphalia and Hessen, which corresponds to the historical border between the Electorate of Cologne (Kurköln) and the Grafschaft Waldeck. The two quality hiking trails Rothaarsteig and Uplandsteig run through here.

In contrast to serfs or slaves, "free men" have always been allowed to speak justice over their equals. Later, landlords, nobles and bailiffs also seized this right and with it the property of the condemned. The free courts were often located away from the towns. For centuries, the Richtplatz was the site of the Medebach court of justice. The judges' verdict was always either acquittal or death.

There is a stone at the edge of the Richtplatz with a bronze plaque bearing the following inscription: "Here, in the former Electorate of Cologne-Waldeck border region, there was a court of the Electorate of Cologne Gaugergericht and Amt Medebach from the 13th century. The von Gaugreben family, whose name is derived from their official title as gographers, acted as judges at the time."

The sword depicted on it embodies the symbol for jurisdiction and does not mean that the condemned person was executed with the sword. Hanging on the nearest tree was the usual method of execution. If the condemned person was not present, he fell into "eight and banishment". He was thus ostracized and anyone could carry out the death penalty without having to reckon with any consequences.