Häxberget (Witch Mountain)

Kramfors, Sweden

The Torsåker witch trials took place in 1675 in Torsåker parish in Sweden and were the largest witch trials in Swedish history. In a single day 71 people (65 women and 6 men) were beheaded and then burned.

The mountain where the executions took place is still today called Häxberget or Bålberget (the “Witch mountain” or the “Bon fire mountain”). Mayor Erik Lund, from the city of Härnösand, was in charge of the executions and there were two executioners waiting at the mountain.The condemned witches were beheaded on the downside of the bon fire so that the blood wouldn’t stop the fire. Imagine all the death agony, the screaming, the acrid odor of blood, urine and excrements, the amount of blood on the ground from 71 persons and the offensive smell of burnt flesh.

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