The chilling whisper of torture. That’s what Rue de la Question in Strasbourg evokes. This unassuming street holds a dark secret. A secret whispered on the wind through the centuries.
Rue de la Question. Its very name is a chilling reminder of a brutal past. The street’s name refers to a medieval torture method. Victims had their thumbs crushed to extract confessions. This horrific practice took place in a tower. This tower was once part of Strasbourg’s defenses. The Daumthurm or Tower of Thumbs. The tower was demolished in 1790. Its location is said to have been marked by two white diagonal lines. These lines once formed an angle in front of number 2 on the street.
Before its grim association with torture Rue de la Question had many names. It was known as Das Tenn Das Denn Des Kammerers Gasse and Klappergasse. Other names included Vinkengesselin Finkwilergesselin and Däumengesselin. It was even called Rue de l’Humanité. This ironic name was given during the French Revolution. The street also changed names during German occupation. Then it became Däuemgasse and Däuemturmgasse. Finally in 1933 it regained its current name Rue de la Question.
Number 6 on Rue de la Question is notable. This half-timbered house dates back to the 18th century. It stands next to the Finkwiller school. The house features an imposing door that opens onto the street. Number 8 marks one of the corners of the street. It intersects with Rue Saint-Marc.
Imagine the ghosts of the past walking these cobblestones. Imagine the cries of those tortured within the Daumthurm. Rue de la Question isn’t just a street. It’s a living testament to the city’s complex and often brutal history. It is a sobering reminder that history is written in blood and stone. And sometimes on the very ground we walk upon. Remember this chilling story next time you stroll down Rue de la Question.