136 Items Tagged

Witches

Were the Salem Witch Trials Ruff on Dogs?

The 17th-century event claimed at least 25 human lives. Whether any dogs were killed is unclear—but accusations against them had a familiar theme.

Bridget Marshall October 21, 2024

Witch Hat Intake Tower

An adorable intake tower with a “witch hat” stands in the Edo River.

Aldeburgh, England

Moot Hall

One of the best preserved Tudor public buildings in Britain was once used for witch trials.

Few folk figures have endured like Baba Yaga, who has been described as witch, mentor, villain, trickster, and now, perhaps, a feminist icon.

Who Is Baba Yaga?

Trickster, mentor, probable goddess—Slavic folklore's most famous villain is so much more than a witch.

Kris Spisak September 30, 2024

Forres, Scotland

Forres Witches Stone

A reminder of the gruesome punishments delivered to those who were found guilty during Scotland's witchcraft trials.

Defiled Baptismal Font

This historical font became infamous after a maid was allegedly tricked into urinating in it, leading to her tragic death sentence.

Salisbury, England

The Witches Tree

Along a Roman road flanked with beech trees hides a tale of wizardry and xenophobia.

Køge Huskors Memorial

This marker commemorates a long-lasting historical haunting and demonic possession that led to one of Denmark's worst witch trials.

Häxan sets featured a mash-up of iconographies, from Satanism to classical death motifs.

Behold the Weird Glory of Häxan, A Wild 1922 Film About Witchcraft

The ground-breaking documentary blended academic research with salacious scenes of torture and nudity. Censors weren't having it.

Gavia Baker-Whitelaw April 29, 2024

Glasgow, Scotland

The Witch's Skull

One of the city's oldest pubs displays a skull said to belong to the country's last witch burned at the stake.

Via Port’Alba

This 17th-century passageway is home to numerous bookshops, a witch legend, and the oldest pizzeria in the world.

A large warehouse lined with tables full of produce and goods.

Paramaribo, Suriname

Maroon Market

This "witch's market" is filled with Amazonian herbs, remedies, and the occasional libido-strengthening tincture.

Heksestein (The Witch Stone)

A memorial to 350 people burned at the stake for witchcraft.

Prestonpans, Scotland

'Athena' Memorial Statue

A monument honoring 81 residents of this Scottish town who were executed for witchcraft in the 16th century.

Farnham, England

Mother Ludlam's Cave

This place is the subject of local legends about a good witch and a Celtic God.

Witch Rock of Montmartre

Witch Rock of Montmartre

This oddly shaped boulder in Paris is rumored to be cursed.

Frau Perchta is often called the Christmas Witch, but that is just one aspect of who she is: a powerful winter goddess who has endured a centuries-old campaign to vilify her.

Fearsome Frau Perchta Is an Ancient Alpine Winter Goddess

Today, she's commonly called the Christmas Witch or even "the female Krampus"—but she is so much more.

Victoria Linchong December 29, 2023

Sion, Switzerland

Tour des Sorciers

Visit a prison tower used during witch tribunals.