Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1898 — Austrian Dungeon Discovered. [ARTICLE]

Austrian Dungeon Discovered.

The other day it was found necessary to repair part of the foundations of an inner wing of the Castello of Udine, a great, square, ugly building of three centuries ago, now used as barracks and civil prisons. On the flooring being removed, the workmen came upon a small, massive, tight-fit-ting trapdoor. It was raised with difficulty, and it disclosed, as in romances, a flight of steps. On going down it with lights the workmen found themselves in a subterranean chamber. From one corner of this ran a passage, in the walls of which were five low, narrow doorways, opening into the most horrible prison cells imaginable. The doorways still held the heavy iron hinges which had supported enormously thick doors, as shown by the depth of the stone framework. The pozzi of the doges' palace at Venice must have been abodes of delight in comparison. At the end of the passage two other cells were found, suggestive of still more dreadful suffering; for, while the others are of ordinary size, these only measure 2 feet 4by 2 feet B—a size that made it impossible for the unhappy wretches confined in them to lie down. A small hole near the top of the doorpost of all the cells was used for the passing of food. Examination brought to light some inscriptions scratched on the cell walls. One of these was “Giovanni Grimani, 1607,” showing that they were in use in civilized times; and, more shocking still, as it is a witness to the cruelty of Austria, another consisted of the words, “Viva l’ltalia viva I’ltalia,” and the signature of “Giacomo Moraro.”—London Globe.