Pranger

The Pranger (pillory) in front of the town hall is a reminder of medieval and early modern justice. Although it appears authentic, the iron collar on display today is a faithful reconstruction. The original is preserved in the Museum Obwalden.

Public Punishment

The pillory was used for public punishment and humiliation. Convicted individuals were chained here as a warning to others and exposed to the judgement of the community. This so-called “punishment of honour” was intended not only to shame the offender, but also to reinforce social norms and moral expectations.

One documented case dates from 1721, when Franz Spiller, a citizen of Sarnen, was sentenced for insufficient religious devotion. His punishment included a flogging, public exposure at the pillory and a compulsory pilgrimage to Einsiedeln.

The Lasterstein

The stone to which the iron collar is attached is known as the Lasterstein, literally the “stone of vice”. In 1840, plans were made to remove it, but they were never carried out. By 1867, the pillory had fallen into disrepair and was no longer in use. The stone was dismantled and transported to the Seefeld area, where it remained among other discarded building materials.

The Lasterstein survived thanks to the initiative of government councillor Josef Wolfgang Stockmann, who placed it in his garden for safekeeping. In 1978, it was returned to its original location in front of the town hall. The reconstructed iron collar was added in the same year.

Symbol of Authority

The pillory was more than a place of punishment. Its prominent position in front of the town hall symbolised the close link between justice and public life. Such structures were common in many European towns and served as visible expressions of legal authority and social order.

Today, the pillory offers a striking insight into past ideas of crime, punishment and community discipline.

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