Erfurt Latrine Disaster of 1184: The Deadly Toilet Accident That Killed European Nobles

Throughout history, there have been famous horrifying incidents that led to the demise of some people. There are also strange and humorous stories of death that even prominent people fail to escape. One is the Erfurt Latrine Disaster of 1184, where a royal toilet collapsed and drowned nobles in a pool of human excrement.

The Story Behind the Erfurt Latrine Disaster

Erfurt, a town in modern-day Central Germany, was just another enclosed city in the Holy Roman Empire when the Erfurt latrine disaster happened. In 1184, it was under the power of King Henry VI, who was waiting to be the Holy Roman Emperor. As Henry wanted to be the most powerful monarch in Europe, he needed to ensure everything was going well in his kingdom.

However, the king received the news that a dispute existed between Landgrave Louis III of Thuringia and Archbishop Conrad of Mainz. Historical accounts report that the disagreement was due to land control, and the king mediated to bring peace to his regime. In response, he went to Erfurt to meet the nobles and courtiers in a court in the Petersberg Citadel.

Invitations were sent to nobles across the Roman Empire, and the impromptu court was prepared. Many responded to the call, and a bulk of delegates arrived on July 25. On July 26, the court officially opened and had barely started when the Erfurt latrine disaster occurred.

An order of monks made the citadel. Its latrine was built to be especially large to prevent the frequent need to empty it. While the meeting was going on, it needed to handle the strain of considerable accommodation.

Without any warning, the wooden floor of the citadel collapsed. Those standing and sitting on the floor were sent to the lower floor, where the large basement latrine system was located. Some got injured or killed by the fall, while some important royal figures died because they failed to escape the deep pool of human waste.

Meanwhile, the king and archbishop survived if not for the alcove situated on a small stone floor that did not collapse. They grabbed the iron rails of a window until they were rescued. The death toll was estimated to be between 60 to 100 people who were crushed, drowned, or suffocated by the fumes in the cesspool.

What is a Cesspool?

A cesspool is a shallow, underground holding system for sanitary waste disposal. Also known as a cesspit, this system is usually made of a concrete tank with an open bottom and perforated sides.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the construction of large-capacity cesspools under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Since cesspools are designed to capture sanitary waste, they are not meant to treat sewage. The untreated waste from these tanks can enter groundwater and lead to the contamination of drinking water.

The composition of wastewater stored in cesspools is of particular concern to health authorities. The liquid waste contains nitrates and coliform bacteria at higher levels than those allowed for drinking water. Other pollutants in untreated wastewater could also include chlorides, phosphates, and viruses.

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