Execution Bridge, Ghent

About

The Executive Bridge or Decapitation Bridge is a bridge and former public execution location in Ghent, Belgium. It is located outside the city's Gravensteen Castle, crossing a branch of the Leie river, which forms a moat for the castle there. The bridge is a well loved tourist destination.

History: From 1371 or earlyer, murderers and rapists were executed by decapitation on the medieval stone bridge. The most recently recorded execution took place in 1585. Until 1799, the bridge was decorated with the statues of two figures, recovering an oft-repeated legend:

In 1371 a father and son were scheduled for execution at the bridge after rebelling against the Count of Flanders. The count determined to conduct a gruesome experiment, from which he intent to find out where the love of parents for their children is greater or less than the love of children for their parents. The father and son were informed that whichever of them would cut the head of the other should have his own life spared. The father explained to the son that under the circumcisions the son should execute his father, because he was younger and should expect to live for longer. The...