Raganų Kalnas. Lithuania.
Raganų Kalnas, the Hill of Witches, can be found in a scenic Fir Valley on the Curonian Spit, near the town of Juodkrantė.
It has always been a place shrouded in folklore; in the 19th century, known as the Hill of Eve it would attract crowds in their thousands on Midsummer Day to pray in the mystical atmosphere. This festival of pagan rituals, associated with fire, nature, and mythical beings, continued until the mid 20th century.
Wood carving has long been an integral part of Lithuanian folk art and in 1979, a collection of sculptors, wood carvers and blacksmiths, inspired by the beauty of the landscape and mystical atmosphere, gathered here and created 25 sculptures and dedicated the set to the International Year of the Child a further 71 sculptures were aded between 1979 to 1981.
Further sculptures have been added over the years together with restoration of those that have decayed due to weathering.
The individual sculptures mainly depict devils, witches and other mythical creatures from Lithuanian folklore and pagan traditions.
Other traditional carvings include roofed pillar shrines, household items, and ritual objects, with symbolic meanings rooted in ancient beliefs.
Each of the sculpture is crafted from local wood; oak and pine, using traditional carving techniques using chisels and axes, left untreated the often exaggerated sculptures are allowed to naturally weather
Selfie time
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Cheers @ewkaw @qurator always appreciate the support
This place is proof that art can act as a living bridge between pagan roots and the contemporary world.
Cheers @butterfly-jt9 good point well made
What a special place, you can really see and feel that mysterious, unique atmosphere. It feels like a special place inhabited by beings you can’t see, like fairies, right in the heart of nature.
Those carvings are incredible; the details on each of the sculptures are beautiful, and I love that they’ve created new ones whilst also restoring the existing ones, and that they’re allowing them to age naturally. The energy you feel there is certainly powerful. I absolutely loved it!! Thank you so much and a big hug!🤗
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cheers @avdesing love your positivity and inventive mind, it was a nice little walk to appreciate the stories and the skills of the master carver
Big hugs always welcome and back at ya x
Thanks to you, it was brilliant!🤗
Cheers
🤗
Hahaha... Selfie time.
And the second is: And now you may kiss the bride.
Cheers, @grindle!
cheers @nanixxx the bride has been kissed
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Travel Digest #2982.
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cheers @ybanezkim26 @worldmappin always appreciate te support
Great write-up — really enjoyed your take on this. Thanks for sharing! 👍
The wooden sculptures and the scenery make this place truly unique and fascinating I really enjoyed the story and the photos they're absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing them with us
Cheers @gutuso thaqnks for your positive vibes
Beautiful wooden arts 😍
Cheers
This post reminded me of my early childhood. I am a lithuanian but from what I remember I have been to Hill of Witches only one time. I believe that both these photos are taken there:
Cheers @fieryfootprints thanks for stopping by, how cool is that! they certainly look similar hope you have happy memories of the place
I enjoyed learning about this place through your post. It feels like one of those hidden spots that quietly holds a lot of history and local stories.
Sure does a nice little wander