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From 1500 to 1700, witches—or those falsely accused of witchcraft—were widely persecuted throughout Europe. The final woman to be accused was Anna Goldï, who faced execution by beheading in 1782. The alleged crime was the murder of her infant, though it’s more likely the child passed from natural causes. A servant, Anna had been romantically involved with her employer, who later accused her of witchcraft to cover up their affair.
Witchcraft was a convenient accusation for anyone who disrupted the rigid, religiously driven society of the time. Whether it was the use of medicinal herbs, refusing a marriage proposal, or simply enduring the grief of a child's death, one could easily find themselves labeled a witch.
Both Protestant and Catholic regions eagerly pursued witch trials with alarming zeal. In Germany, the number of executions was particularly high, partly because of the influence of the infamous book Malleus Maleficarum, written by two German scholars. This book provided instructions on identifying, torturing, and punishing alleged witches—an unsettling guide.
Now, let us explore 10 locations across Europe where you can reflect on this dark chapter of history, honoring the many individuals falsely accused of witchcraft during a brutal and tragic era.
Castlehill, located in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a historical site known for its dark past.
In the late 1500s, Agnes Sampson was a revered midwife and healer in her community. During this time, King James VI of Scotland, who later became King James I of England, initiated a cruel campaign against women, accusing many of witchcraft. His obsession with witches grew after his ship was struck by violent storms on a voyage to marry his new queen. Convinced that the storms were caused by witches, many women, including Agnes, were accused of casting these supernatural forces.
Under intense torture, Agnes Sampson eventually admitted to the charges made against her. She was later executed by burning at the stake in Castlehill. Today, a memorial stands at the Witch’s Fountain in Edinburgh, honoring Agnes and the many other women who were wrongfully executed during this dark chapter in history.
Würzburg, Germany, is notorious for being the site of one of Europe's most savage witch hunts. In the early 1600s, hundreds of executions took place here. In 1626, an unexpected frost ruined the grape harvest, and many believed that witches were behind this misfortune, causing widespread panic and terror.
The year 1626 brought an unforeseen frost that decimated Würzburg's grape harvest. At the time, this disastrous event was attributed to witchcraft, sparking one of the most notorious witch hunts in Europe. Nowadays, we might blame climate change for such unpredictability in weather, but at that time, the only culprit could be witches.
During a series of trials led by the hastily assembled Witches Committee, countless men, women, and children were brutally executed. The use of severe torture methods prompted many victims to falsely accuse others of witchcraft, spreading the panic and paranoia like wildfire.
Today, Würzburg presents itself as a delightful city, with little remaining evidence of its dark history. To uncover any trace of this grim past, one must dig deeper, as there are no prominent monuments or commemorative plaques to be found.
Colchester, England, holds a significant place in the history of witch trials.
One of the most notorious figures of the witch trials in England was Matthew Hopkins, known as the Witchfinder General. He personally oversaw around 300 trials, resulting in 100 executions. Hopkins often targeted those from lower social strata, using the fear of witchcraft to enrich himself through financial rewards for each successful conviction.
Many of Matthew Hopkins' victims endured torture within the walls of Colchester Castle. This well-preserved Norman fortress still stands today, and in recent years, a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the victims of his cruel campaign. Visitors can tour the castle, including its grim dungeons, and view the dark, windowless cells where these individuals were held and tortured.
Prąmnik, a village located in Poland, is the setting for a chilling story.
Although Poland did not experience one of the highest rates of witch trials and executions, there were still numerous instances where individuals were accused and put to death. Despite being one of the first countries to abolish the persecution of individuals for ‘sorcery,’ many local districts continued to ignore this law and carried out the executions.
Nestled near Kraków, Poland, the small village of Prąmnik is home to a well-preserved medieval watermill, which bears witness to a haunting tale. Zofia Konstancja and Agnieszka Michałowska, two unfortunate women from the village, were accused of using witchcraft to ruin the farmland connected to the mill. Several monks also claimed that the women had harmed them, though records from that time are scarce. The Kasina Wielka witch trial for the accused took place in September 1634.
The Prąmnik Mill still stands today in Prądnik Czerwony, Kraków, on Dominikana Street. Visiting the mill, one can almost feel the weight of its grim past. The towering structure evokes an eerie sense of history as you stand beneath its looming presence.
Pendle, England, holds a significant place in the history of witch trials and executions.
Lancashire, in northern England, was the site of some of the most infamous witch trials in the UK. At the time, locals were seen as wild and untamed, which likely provided additional fuel for the persecutors when sentencing them to death.
Of the ten women accused, seven came from two local families, both headed by matriarchs. These women were also respected herbal healers and ran a business selling remedies and tinctures. The notorious trial took place in August 1612, and none of the accused were given a chance to defend themselves or present witnesses in their favor.
Visitors today can find numerous tributes to these women, including a dedicated walking trail with statues and a museum that delves into the well-documented history of witch trials in the area.
Vardø, a historic fishing village in the far northeast of Norway, is the site where over 90 people, many of them indigenous Sami, were executed for witchcraft. Most of the accused were women, many condemned by their own neighbors or husbands. While the historical records from this period are unclear, accusations ranged from poisoning cattle to summoning storms and making pacts with Satan.
The tragic events in Vardø during the witch trials saw more than 90 people executed for witchcraft, many of whom were Sami women. The accusations against them included casting spells to harm cattle, controlling the weather, and engaging in satanic rituals, with much of the testimony coming from their own community members.
The town of Vardø has honored this tragic chapter of its history by commissioning world-renowned artist Louise Bourgeois and famed architect Peter Zumthor to design The Steilneset Memorial. The striking memorial structure and sculpture not only captivate visually, but also serve as a poignant reminder of those who perished, providing a space for quiet reflection.
Zugarramurdi, Spain, holds a dark history related to witch trials.
Although witch trials were not a primary focus during the Spanish Inquisition, the people of Spain were not immune to persecution. In the Basque region, the witch trials were part of an effort to suppress the pagan traditions of the area. This campaign was led by Pierre de Lancre, a judge in the French Basque territory, who is responsible for the execution of 80 individuals by burning them at the stake.
The Cave of the Witches in Zugarramurdi is a natural tunnel where, according to the Inquisition, witches gathered to commune with nature and its spirits. Today, visitors can explore this awe-inspiring natural wonder and reflect on the dark period of its past. The Museum of Witchcraft in Xareta provides a fresh perspective on witchcraft and delves into many of the Basque myths and legends.
Fulda, Germany, is another key location tied to the history of witch trials.
Balthasar von Dernbach, the Abbot of Fulda Monastery, was a strong advocate for the aggressive pursuit of witchcraft investigations in the town. He claimed to be purging the area of all things improper, using brutal methods to force confessions. One notorious case involved Merga Bien, a pregnant woman accused of murdering her second husband, who was burned at the stake while still carrying her child. This horrific chapter of witch hunts in Fulda finally ended with Dernbach’s death.
Today, the town features a respectful stone monument to commemorate the innocent lives lost, victims of false accusations of witchcraft and sorcery.
Torsåker, Sweden, is infamous for hosting the largest witch trial in Swedish history, where 71 people were beheaded and burned in a single day. This horrific event began when the local minister received orders to rid his parish of witches.
The minister’s approach was disturbingly unorthodox: two young boys from the church stood at the door as parishioners passed by, searching for an invisible devil’s mark on their foreheads. While this may sound like a legend, it was later documented by the grandson of one of the accused. Today, a large memorial stone marks the site where this dark chapter of history took place.
The gruesome events of Torsåker are memorialized with a large stone that marks the site of one of the most horrific witch trials in Swedish history, where 71 innocent lives were tragically lost.
1. Triora, Italy
Nestled on the border of Piedmont, Triora is a charming village known for its five fortresses. Once a vital hub for grain production, it was famously called The City of Bread. However, in the 17th century, a devastating heatwave ruined the crops, and as with many other areas at the time, witch trials soon followed.
During this period of crisis, a priest from the Inquisition arrived in Triora, preaching about witchcraft and sorcery. His fervent words stirred the villagers into a frenzy, leading them to turn on each other. It was the poorest women who were ultimately targeted. Today, visitors can explore the local museum, where original documents about the trials can still be viewed, paying tribute to the victims.
