The Hill of Witches (Raganų Kalnas in Lithuanian) is a public trail system through a forested sand dune just off the main road in Juodkrantė, Lithuania. The forest here is teeming with mystical wood carvings, all representing figures from Lithuanian folklore and pagan traditions. I came across photos of the Hill of Witches as I was doing research for our travels to Lithuania. I thought it was something Lucia would love to see and it turned out to be a major reason we decided to visit Juodkrantė.
There are no actual witches to be found on the hill. The name derives from the pagan festivals that were held on the hill during Midsummer’s Eve festivals. The wood carvings began showing up in 1979 and the collection has expanded to its present-day total of 80.
Most of the wood carvings are friendly looking; a few are downright scary. Some are even interactive, inviting visitors to sit or play. We enjoyed a late-morning walk in the woods this past summer. The kids had a blast and I couldn’t stop taking photos. So, come, join us on a fairy-tale walk in the woods…
It is free to visit the Hill of Witches. Depending on how leisurely you care to walk, plan to spend at least 1-2 hours there.
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These sculptures look creepy yet interesting. Barely not to visit this place at night. It might give you a heart attack if you’re not aware. Thanks for the glimpse. I enjoy reading it.
Wow, so happy to see these creatures :). We spent a week in Juodkrantė as a part of our honeymoon ages ago. Good to know that the witches are still there.
It’s like a real life fairytale wonderland! All those carvings are so intricate and detailed – I hope the collection continues to grow! But I might give it a miss at twilight – i’d be scared they’d come to life!
What a quirky and fun trail! Maybe I’d go hiking more often if trails always had legends and folk art. 😉
Some truly amazing wood carvings here. My kids would also love this experience. We have not been to Lithuania but never say never
I can imagine going there at night haha. Looks fun. Very interesting sculptures.
Just the kind of place I like visiting – and reminds me a little of a place in the Austrian Tirol which is also all about witches and wonderful to walk around too – Hexenwasser.
Sounds like a magical place. 80 wooden statues is impressive, although I am sure that I’d find some of the creepy! I do like the idea that some of them are interactive though!
What an amazing place to visit. My boy’s imaginations would go into overdrive seeing all of those carvings. Imagine the stories!
Great images, love to attend a festival there… Sure it’s special.
Stay witching, Craig
Super cool! Would love to visit this place. A little disappointed there are no actual witches, but I’ll make due.
That looks like a cool place, kid or not!
Incredible wood sculptures. I think I might be too scared to visit, so I am just going to live vicariously through this post although I probably won’t sleep well tonight.
Do they still have festivals there?
Ya know, I’m not sure. I want to say no but I can’t with 100% certainty. Sorry!
I was there in 1998, while working as a teacher in a town nearby. I was told that the local government had commissioned artists to do some sculptures. They were in trees, mostly, so if you looked up into the canopy you would see creatures “living” in the trunk or large branches. . Looks like more now, but I’ve never forgotten that enchanted place.