Witch Mountain
Key information
Basic information
How to arrive?
Witch Mountain is located in Juodkrante, L. Reza Street.
Parking at Witch Mountain
Free parking is available at the foot of the hill
The sculptures on Witch Mountain are free to view all year round.
Other frequently asked questions:
How long does it take to visit?
The visit lasts about 30-60 minutes, depending on how much time you want to spend looking at the sculptures and walking around the forest. The route is about 1.5 km long and winds through forest paths.
Do we recommend visiting with children?
Witch Mountain is one of the best places to visit with children. Apart from the fact that children will be fascinated by the impressive sculptures of fairy tale characters, the fact that the trail is not long is also convenient - it is easy for children to follow. There are places to sit down and stop while you walk, so you can take your time to look at the sculptures and stroll at your own pace. However, there are stairs or areas that are harder to pass (tree roots, sand), which can make it more difficult to get around with a pushchair.
Witch Mountain: history and what you'll see today
Witch Mountain is a unique open-air museum of wooden sculptures, where devils, witches and other folklore heroes reign. As you walk around, the sculptures and the natural surroundings allow you to feel the mystical spirit of this place.
Raganų kalnas is a truly unique place where nature, art and Lithuanian folklore intertwine. The site is situated on a 50-metre-high hill and the sculptures are spread around the Spruce Valley. The almost 1.5 km trail winds through forest paths, so in addition to the sculptures, you can admire the Curonian Spit nature, pine forests, and a good place for nature walks.
How did all this come about? In the 1980s. In the 1980s, creative camps for folk artists and woodcarvers became popular in Lithuania. Such a camp was organised in Juodkrante. Fifty woodworkers and blacksmiths created 71 sculptures during the three camps. Subsequently, the Hill of Witches has been continuously added to and renovated. The idea of "accommodating" fairy tale characters was dictated by the environment: the creators were inspired by the mystical atmosphere of the place and the surrounding pine and spruce trees, which is how they conceived the idea of embodying fairy tale and legendary characters in wooden sculptures.
The tales are dubbed and can be heard in Lithuanian, English and German on the audio recordings on the Witch Mountain website here: www.raganukalnas.lt
