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The executioner’s profession

In Torino (Turin), on via Bonelli 2, between via delle Orfane and via Bellezia, one can find the house where the city’s "executioner" once lived, not far from where the executions took place, the Rondo della Forca. The executioner’s job wasn’t  supposed to be gratifying, but in Torino (Turin) being an "executor of justice ", at the time of the death penalty, had an economic advantage: in 1575 a hanging was paid 21 lira, and setting a person on fire accused of witchcraft the payment was 16 lira. However, the people found it unacceptable that a person could earn so much money by killing other people, therefore the executioner was isolated from the rest of the community.  His greatest disdain gave rise to the Executioner expression "Fàuss", which in Piemonte (Piedmont) means "false".  Even the town baker would hand the executioner an upturned loaf, sometimes without even wrapping it. From this custom the saying, "the executioner’s bread" came to use.

Indirizzo 
Via Bonelli 2
10122 Torino TO
Italy