Mystical Places in Lithuania - the Hill of Witches

Whatever one understands by a mystical place in Lithuania, these places bear symbolic names that pique one’s interest and invite a closer look. In particular, on the Neringa, not far from the seaside resort of Nida, there are numerous cycling routes that take you away from Thomas Mann and a beach holiday to perhaps the most beautiful beaches in Lithuania. The Valley of Love, the Valley of Silence and the Valley of Death are not merely mystical in name. They tell their own stories from the world of legends and myths. But doesn’t every legend have a grain of truth? Exploring the mystery of Lithuania’s mystical places takes us back to the beliefs and traditions of ancient times. It is said that the eastern Baltic was the last corner of the earth to embrace Christianity, doing so only in the 12th century.

For a cycling tour through the Curonian Spit to its mystical places, start from the seaside resorts of Nida or Juodkrantė, known to the old Germans as Schwarzort, on the Lithuanian Amber Bay. The highlight of this unique cycling tour is the Hill of Witches near Juodkrantė. While Lithuania’s migrating dunes reveal their fine white sand without mercy, Juodkrantė is surrounded by a dark, forested dune that leaves plenty of room for stories and speculation. The place was also regarded as a source of spiritual energy and was traditionally celebrated on Midsummer’s Eve. People speak of spirits, devils, a rain of frogs and, above all, witches. Today, the Hill of Witches is equally popular with locals and tourists. One day, Jonas Stanius came up with the idea of carving the legends and folklore of Neringa in wood and displaying them on the Hill of Witches. By 1979, there were 25 wooden sculptures; today there are well over 80. Every September, Juodkrantė holds a wood-carving workshop on Lithuania’s Hill of Witches, staying true to the original vision of the former forester. Fairy tales and legends are part of the people’s heritage, told by ordinary folk and perhaps heard by many others. On a walk across the Hill of Witches, you’ll encounter the rain of frogs, see the devil playing cards with a witch, learn about the twelve ravens from the fairy tale “Eglė, Queen of the Serpents,” or even witness the spectacle of a grand witch-burning.

Families who want to explore these 40-meter-high dunes with their mystical appearance among Lithuania’s attractions will find that the Hill of Witches near Juodkrantė offers more than just a glimpse into Lithuania’s fairy-tale world—it also has modern play areas for children.