Hexenplatten – the witches’ stone

In Ardez, Switzerland, there is a flat slab of calcareous shist, sometimes referred to as limestone, whose surface is pitted. Legend has it that witches danced here. Their broomsticks and/or goats made impressions into the rocks. The outcrop is called the “witches’ stone” or hexenplatten.

The truth is that the impressions were cut into the rock around 2000 years ago by people. The reasons for this are unknown. Maybe they were symbols, maybe it was the graffiti of the time. About 100 cup-like depressions were carved and then erosion smoothed them. Like “devil’s footprints” in many other areas worldwide, the indentations are believed to have a sinister origin and are considered a curious tourist attraction.