Hexentanzplatz (Harz)

The Hexentanzplatz (literally “Witches′ Dance Floor”) in the Harz mountains is a plateau (454 m above sea level (NN)) that lies high above the Bode Gorge, opposite the Rosstrappe in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.

The Hexentanzplatz is reputedly an Old Saxon cult site, at which pagan celebrations were held in honour of the so-called Hagedisen (forest and mountain goddesses), particularly on the night of 1 May.

According to tradition the site was guarded by Frankish soldiers in order to enforce the ban and they were chased off by Saxons dressed as witches and riding on broomsticks.

Above the Hexentanzplatz are the remains of the Sachsenwall (“Saxon Dyke”), a wall of granite rocks and possibly part of a larger fortification, more than 1,500 years old.

In the Walpurgishalle Museum, built by painter Hermann Hendrich, the legends of the surrounding Harz mountains and scenes from Goethe's Faust are brought to life.