Barbara Zdunk

Barbara Zdunk (* 1769, † August 21, 1811 ) was a maid from Rößel in East Prussia (now Poland), the accused most likely due to arson, sentenced to death and was executed. It is sometimes claimed they had been executed for witchcraft and that hers was the last such sentence of death in Europe. That seems unlikely, since witchcraft in Prussia Zdunks time was not a criminal offense. It is more likely that they at least formally (and probably wrongly) was tried and convicted of arson.

In 1806 a devastating fire destroyed almost the entire city Rößel. For Zdunk was a well-known for their interest in magic maid blamed. Although there was no strong evidence of the alleged offense, she was tried and sentenced to death. On a bonfire on a hill outside Rößels Zdunk was burned in 1811, where they were just before the fire was ignited, has strangled. Today it is believed that a group standing in the service of Napoleon's Polish soldiers laid the fire in Rößel. The true background of Zdunks conviction, which was confirmed by several appellate courts remains unclear. Revenge on the part of the Prussian administration at the poles or a concession of justice to the people's anger could have played a role and that Zdunk entertained than 38 years of a relationship with a young person.