The goat head witch, witches in Slovakia

July 24, 2025

The goat head witch, witches in Slovakia

When the weather is very cold, like between 1520 and 1700, it is called the mini ice age.

Did you know that people believed it was caused by the witches? During the mini ice age, agriculture was not as successful as before, so there was not enough supply.

Peter T. Leeson economist, gave an explanation, why the Catholic church wanted to find witches, as they needed victims or enemies in the war against the Protestants.

The witch hunts were raised after Martin Luther declared his 95 Theses.

Where did a lot of witches die? In France, Germany, and the Scandinavian countries.

Source: https://dennikn.sk/1231653/odkaz-mms-o-skutocnych-dovodoch-preco-katolicka-cirkev-odrazu-objavila-carodejnice-a-po-tisicoch-ich-upalovala/

Where were the famous witch trials in Slovakia? Veličná

How many women were burned in Veličná? Only one

Source: https://www.oravskemuzeum.sk/carodejnicke-procesy-na-orave-v-17-a-18-storoci/

What kind of witchcraft was practiced? Herbs collection and healing, market price manipulation, modern economics, not going enough to the church for ceremonies, too beautiful, not smart enough, too skinny, quarrel with the neighbours

Source: https://presov.korzar.sme.sk/c/7361192/v-bardejove-kedysi-nahanali-carodejnice.html#google_vignette

Have you ever heard that during Halloween, do not let your kids out, as witches can eat them?

Nah, in Slovakia, over cursing the cows, the other specialty of the withes was told, as they ate kids.

What was the punishment for these things? Death by fire

Where? Áno, aj v Trenčíne, Trnave, Bratislave, Komárne, Stupave či Krupine

Source: https://hnonline.sk/history/starsie-dejiny/1878178-smrt-za-zmluvu-s-diablom-bosorky-na-slovensku-uriekli-kravy-a-jedli-deti

Who stopped the witch hunts? Maria Theresa, Maria Theresa (Maria Theresia Walburga Amalia Christina; 13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position in her own right. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Slavonia, Mantua, Milan, Moravia, Galicia and Lodomeria, Dalmatia, Austrian Netherlands, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and Gradisca, Austrian Silesia, Tyrol, Styria and Parma. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress.

Source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Maria_Theresa