In a quiet town in Ontario, hidden from the hustle and bustle of city life, lives a man whose particular passion has made him famous. Steve Santini has become famous for owning one of the world's largest and scariest collections of antique torture devices. His macabre assortment includes everything from guillotines and vices to whips and finger clamps.
Steve Santini's fascination with vintage torture devices began as a teenager when he stumbled upon a history book detailing the grim practices of the past. Stories of inhuman punishment and suffering fascinated him, prompting him to embark on a lifelong search for these horrific artifacts. His collection now boasts a terrifying and impressive array of tools designed to inflict pain, suffering and terror.
Among the most famous items in Santini's collection are several guillotines, devices infamous for their role in public executions during the French Revolution. Although these guillotines no longer function, they serve as gruesome reminders of a dark time in history when countless heads were cut off by the guillotine blade.
The collection also includes a number of vices, devices used to crush and mutilate various body parts. These instruments were often used during interrogations to extract confessions through excruciating pain.
Whips and other implements used for punishment form another significant part of Santini's collection. These tools were commonly used to discipline slaves and prisoners, leaving lasting physical and psychological scars.
While Steve Santini's collection may seem morbid and disturbing, it serves a vital purpose in preserving a dark chapter in human history. These instruments of torture are not just curiosities; they are tangible links to the past, reminding us of the brutality that once reigned in society.
Some argue that these devices should be destroyed to prevent the glorification or romanticization of torture. Others believe they have educational value, helping us remember and learn from past mistakes. Santini himself believes that his collection is a stark warning against the horrors of torture and should be seen in that context.
Source: metro.co.uk
