A Look Inside the Austrian Basement Dungeon

The House

The house at 40 Ybbsstrasse, Amstetten, Austria, gained notoriety as the site of the horrific crimes committed by Josef Fritzl against his own daughter. It is a relatively small, unremarkable building, located in a quiet residential area.

Location and Description

The house is situated on the outskirts of Amstetten, a small town in Lower Austria. It is a two-story building, with a basement level that is partially above ground. The exterior of the house is unremarkable, with a simple façade and a small garden in front.

Construction and Layout

The house was built in the 1960s, and it was originally intended to be a single-family home. The basement level was added later, and it was used as a storage area and a workshop. The basement had two rooms, one of which was used by Fritzl to imprison his daughter.

The ground floor of the house had a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The upper floor had three bedrooms and a bathroom. The house was not particularly spacious, but it was adequate for a small family.

Conditions and Living Quarters

The living conditions inside the house were extremely poor, especially in the basement where Fritzl kept his daughter imprisoned. The room was small, measuring only 3.6 meters by 4.6 meters, and it had no windows. The only source of light and ventilation was a small air vent. The room was soundproofed, which prevented any noise from being heard outside.

Fritzl had installed a toilet and a sink in the room, but there was no shower or bath. The room was damp and poorly ventilated, and it had a foul smell. Fritzl had also installed a bed and a hot plate in the room, but there was no heating.

The rest of the house was in a relatively good condition, although it was not well-maintained. The rooms were cluttered and dirty, and there were signs of neglect. The upper floor was used by Fritzl and his wife, while the ground floor was rented out to tenants.

Overall, the house was a place of horror and suffering for Fritzl’s daughter, who was imprisoned and abused there for more than two decades.