VING Rhames got it right in Pulp Fiction. Those living in the Medieval era sure knew a thing or two about creating instruments of torture to punish those who they believed to be guilty.

Just take a look at the many torture instruments now being displayed at the Bastion House in Melaka and be amazed by the finer details that went into these man-made methods of torture.

Featuring 200 pictures, diagrams and real instruments of punishments from various parts of Europe, the exhibition shows disturbing and perversely captivating devices used by those in authority over citizens who they believed were guilty of conducting themselves away from the norm.

Held for the second time in Malaysia, the haunting collection owned by Pio Breddo comes from the Medieval Criminal Museum in San Gimignano, Italy.

“The exhibition has piqued the interest of millions of visitors not just for its great visual impact, but also for its clear message against the violation of human rights,” said Well Ad Communications operations manager David Oh.

Shown in many historical and illustrious cities across Europe, Japan, Argentina and Mexico, the one-of-a-kind display is in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia.

Having over 30,000 visitors in the span of four months the last time it was here in 2003, the organisers hope to receive at least 50,000 visitors this time around.

Torture was frequently used during the Dark Ages to punish criminals and extract confessions,
particularly during the Inquisition, when many people were considered apostates or heretical to Christianity.

Most medieval towns had a council to determine a person’s guilt. In the most severe cases, such as murder or treason, the victim was tortured.

Others were incarcerated or simply vanished from the town and never allowed back.

On the contrary, many leaders used torture frequently such as Vlad the Impaler. His favourite form of torture was impalement, consisting of forcing a victim to sit on a sharp and thick stake. Immortalised by Bram Stoker’s book Dracula, the Romanian ruler, both feared and loved, tortured his victims before killing them.

Melaka was chosen as the venue because of its rich European history spanning the colonial eras of the Dutch, Portuguese and English.

“It was a time when torture elements were used to preserve power in Europe, a lifestyle that was not practised in this part of the region,” said the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka, Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Seri Utama Mohd Khalil Yaakob at the launch of the exhibition entitled Tortura 2 on Nov 17.

He cited the story of saint Joan of Arc in the 15th century, who was tied to a stake and burnt alive at the age of 19 by the French who accused her of heresy after leading the French army against the English in the city of Orleans.

Some of the interesting displays at the exhibition include the Head Crusher, believed to be Venetian in origin and used from 1500 to 1700. The victim’s chin is placed on the lower bar and the cap forced down by the screw. Imagine the teeth being crushed into sockets and then the entire skull. It ends with the brain squirting throughout the fragmented skull.

The invention from the Middle Ages is a prototype for modern interrogation, where caps and chin rests are padded with soft materials so as to leave no mark on the victim.

Also present at the launch were representatives from the Melaka Museums Corporation including chairman Datuk Wira Hamdin Abdollah, teachers and students from Primary and Secondary schools in the historical
city. Visitors were seen enthralled by not just the torture instruments, but also videos, murals and life-like displays depicting an era of brutality and savagery. Parental guidance is advised for children.

“Tortura 2 is not just an ordinary exhibition, but one that has the capability of creating awareness and appreciating the freedom we now have,” said Datuk Wira.

A must-see for history buffs and students alike, find out for yourself about Tortura 2 from 10am to 6pm on weekdays, and 10am to 7pm on weekends at the Bastion House, Jalan Kota, Melaka from now until Feb 28 next year. Tickets are priced at RM10 (adults), RM5 (children aged seven to 12) and RM28 (for a family of two adults and two children).For group bookings, call 014-364 2232/2212 or visit www.tortura2.com.my.