The Naked Witch of Tal: A German Stone Circle That Traps Souls
Hidden in the German town of Tal lies a sculptural trio called Witch's Circle. The eye is drawn to a naked witch, seen from behind, a pose that many readers interpret as provocative. Yet the story the piece tells is darker: the witch is shown pushing the last stone to close the circle, as if sealing a trap. A devil and a homunculus sit on stones nearby, inviting you to step inside—and tourists even rub the witch's nose for luck, while a mouse sits on her shoulder.
In This Article:
Three Statues, One Circle: Witch, Devil, and Homunculus
The group is called Witch's Circle and includes three figures: the witch, a devil, and a homunculus, a tiny figure from alchemical lore. The two others sit on stones while the witch leans forward, pushing the final stone to close the circle. The scene seems to invite passers-by into the stone ring, echoing legends that once someone steps inside, they may never leave. The details—the witch's nose for luck and the mouse on her shoulder—add a superstition-rich edge to the display.
Intent, Not Allegory: Why the Circle Was Made
Despite popular readings of duality, the creators’ intention was not to illustrate a moral clash between opposing forces. The arrangement suggests something more ominous: the power to trap souls within a circle of stone. The two companion figures function as invitations, while the witch seals the trap with the last stone. Folklore scholars note that the scene blends familiarity and unfamiliarity, reminding us that legends can feel true and strange at the same time.
Origins: Pagan Roots, Blood Altar, and the Walpurgis Legend
The site has deep roots in ancient belief. During the 19th-century excavations on Brocken, the Harz’s highest peak, a bloody altar used for animal sacrifices was unearthed. Legends about witches in this region appear in the 9th century as Frankish Christians confronted Saxon ritual traditions. The Walpurgis Night tale, dating to 773 AD, tells of Charlemagne ordering guards to bar Saxons from the site; those Saxons arrived disguised as witches and devils, dancing to frighten the guards. The park's theme is not accidental.
Today: A Park of Witches, Eyes in Stones, and Upturned Roots
Beyond Witch's Circle, Tal's park offers more than just the circle: an inverted 'witch's house', stones with eyes, trees growing roots upward, and a variety of wooden sculptures. Yet the naked witch remains the park's most famous figure, drawing visitors with the shock of her pose. All images accompanying the article can be enlarged by clicking, and the visuals cited come from Waymarking, Harzlife, and Wikimedia.
