THE HILL OF WITCHES…..

Charlene Lowe Kemp

The Hill of Witches is in Juodkrante, Lithuania also known as Raganų Kalnas in Lithuanian. It is a public trail system through a forested sand dune just off the main road in Juodkrante. It overlooks The Baltic sea on one side and The Curonian Lagoon on the other side. The Hill itself is overgrown with huge pine trees that now stand as high as the eye can see. The forest is teeming with 80 mystical wood cravings such as devils, crow monsters and fairy tale creatures which all represent figures from Lituanian folklore and pagan traditions. Prior to WW1, Witches hill was the location used for a festival called Jonines (St. John’s Eve) Lithuanians would come from miles away to join in on the festival that took place on the 24th June.

Witches Hill was always thought to be a magical place, A location that was not quite real. Legend has it that the hill lies in a dimension between the mystical and the paranormal. The Hill is where the witches, goblins, fairies, fortune tellers, demons and devil’s all come to together each night after sunset and scare the mortals who dare to come to the hill after dark….

It is said they roam the hill, scaring, confusing, luring and tormenting the humans who dare to cross their path…..until the rooster at dawn finally crows. The Hill itself is overgrown with huge pine trees that now stand as high as the eye can see. The forest is teeming with 80 mystical wood cravings such as devils, crow monsters and fairy tale creatures which all represent figures from Lituanian folklore and pagan traditions. Prior to WW1, Witches hill was the location used for a festival called Jonines (St. John’s Eve) Lithuanians would come from miles away to join in on the festival that took place on the 24th June.

Witches Hill was always thought to be a magical place. A location that was not quite real. Legend has it that the hill lies in a dimension between the mystical and the paranormal. The Hill is where the witches, goblins, fairies, fortune tellers, demons and devil’s all come to together each night after sunset and scare the mortals who dare to come to the hill after dark….
It is said they roam the hill – scaring, confusing, luring and tormenting the humans who dare to cross their path…..until the rooster at dawn finally crows – all the mystal and magical creatures disappear as though they have never been there.nd magical creatures disappear as though they have never been there.

On St. John’s Night, however, which is the shortest night of the year, where the sun begins to set around 22:30 And starts to rise at 4 am, the Lithuanian people are given the chance to join the magical world of Witches. It is only on this night that humans can go on the hill and will return unharmed.

It is said on this night the fern blossom suddenly blooms at midnight and anyone lucky enough to find some they will be granted with unworldly powers….. such powers could include seeing into the future, talking to animals or to even learn where secret world treasures can be found from all over the world. The night was said to be a magical night and and full of supernatural energy.Be aware though it’s alleged that the witches are extremely protective of their fern blossom and await in hope to scare or confuse anyone who may step in their path.

After WW1, sadly, the festival was stopped, but it is said that the witches and devil’s still continue to meet every night on the top of Witches hill after dark.

As you walk up the side of the hill, it is bright and airy with sunshine beaming on the magical cravings. Once you reach the top and make your way down the other side of the hill is where you will notice a different feeling. The sunlight is hidden behind the trees and the cravings take a much more darker approach such as devils and the gates to hell.

As you hurrily pass the gruesome cravings is where you will see the rooster…the sign that daylight is soon to come through…..