Tuhala Witch's Well

The Witches' Well, located in Tuhala in northern Estonia is a famous phenomenon. Every year, the well explodes in an unusual way around March and April. The well is spewing water at a rate of 100 liters per hour, flooding the whole neighborhood. This is often accompanied by bubbling waters. People believe the Tuhala witches have created an underground sauna, and are whipping each other with birch whips. The great war took place in a very short time each year. The Witches' Well, which has a depth of 2.5m, returns to its peaceful original appearance for the remainder of the year. It is no different than ordinary wells.

Estonia Witch's Well

Scientists quickly recognized this natural phenomenon. Scientists believe it's due to underground rivers overflowing from the Mahtra swamp. These underground rivers then overflow into the surface via wells.

Estonians are not interested in scientific explanations. The Estonian people still believe in the eruption of the well, and they are willing to share their beliefs with visitors. Today, Tuhala Witches' Well in Estonia is a popular tourist attraction. Estonia's history has seen many colonizers. This means that Estonians have had to experience many religions, including Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Russian Orthodoxy. Atheist.

Tuhala Nõiakaev

Estonia is now one of the most religious countries in the world after many years of independence. Only 20% of Estonians claimed to be religious according to a 2011 census. The majority of people believe in myths and legends that are associated with nature. Half of those who responded to a 2011 census said they believed in a god.

Estonians are a mix of animism and ancient religion. Folk tales are one place where these ancient beliefs were passed down from generation to generation. They tell of the sins of man being revealed to the natural world and that there will be a god who punishes the greedy. The story of the Tuhala Witches' Well is one of the most popular examples of folklore.

Image by Flickr User Rene Jakobson