The Hexentanzplatz Thale or the Witches’ Dance Floor as international tourists would call the plateau in the Harz moutains is a place full of legends and myths.
It lies high above the Bode Gorge opposite the Rosstrappe (a 403m high granite crag) and is an Old Saxon cult site, at which locals celebrated the forest and mountain goddesses, the Hagedisen until Christian Franks invaded the area and banned the cult.
But the Walpurgisnacht did not find an end then: Even today, in the night before 1 May, witches meet on the Hexentanzplatz to fly to the Blocksbberg/Brocken together to get married to the devil.
Over the years, the Walpurgisnacht has become somewhat of a mass event attracting visitors from all over the world, but it is great fun for all the family and most of all, the legend is being kept alive by a eclectic mix of tradition, magic and a hint of erotic – some witches can look rather saucy, you know?
From the plateau, you have an amazing view of the surrounding rocks and each and every one of them has its very own story to tell. The Harz mountains really are one of the most magical regions of Germany and legends fill dozens of story books for young and old. Believe me, I have read them all!
Another thing that the Hexentanzplatz is popular for is it’s nature park. My paternal grandma lives not far from here and when my grandad was still alive, we often came here for a stroll.
It is a fairly small nature park compared to the Natur- und Umweltpark Güstrow, but I really like that about it and at €4.00 for adults and €2.50 it is really great value for money, if you are planning a family day out. 
On entering the park, you can learn all about local birds and wild birds and if you are really quiet, you can hear the woodpecker hammering his holes into the trees.
If like us, you follow the round course, you will walk past an enclosure for fallow deer and admire the majestic stag bellowing through the thicket while Bambi and his mum are sharing a moment.
Of course, you will also meet the rare breed of the hexe hexentanzplatio, which elegantly wooshes over your head and leads you straight to these adorable fellas… 
Just how cute is this little raccoon? I really can’t blame my sister for falling in love with these gorgeous little fur balls when visiting this Tierpark about 15 years ago. It’s funny how you remember these things when walking down memory lane, don’t you think?
An animal that she would definitely not let anywhere near her are wild boars, but who knows, she might make an exception for this little one. It’s crazy that these cute little piglets turn into these ginormous ehm unattractive pigs that could kill a human. 
Before that happens though, we’ll quickly jump into our fancy helicopter. There are more adventures waiting for us after all…
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Love places soaked in folklore and fairytales. The rock with the cat’s eyes would be wonderful to happen upon. I wonder if I could find a spot in our garden for one…….
Cheryl recently posted…A Very Wet Walk
Oh wow, I would love to visit here, what a fabulous place. I love the sculptures and even the rocks are fabulous and then there are deer – sigh, what’s not to love about this place. It is a real value for money day out for sure.
Nichola Fabfortymum recently posted…All Creatures Great and Small – Country Kids
Oh wow what an amazing looking place – it looks like somewhere I could spend hours and still not see it all. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…I Love My Post #60
Now this looks like the sort of place you could be lost for hours. I love all the carvings and oh er to that first pic, I’m sure everyone’s eyes are drawn in by that one! We have fallow deer here but our stag is more shy and capturing a photo so close is always a challenge. A beautiful beast they have there. Thank you for sharing such a lovely park on Country Kids.
This looks absolutely fabulous! I love the sculptures of the witches and those rock formations are really something else. What a great day out!
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Autumn activities: how to make a scarecrow
What a magical place full of folk lore, amazing rocks and beautiful animals. Love your pictures.
#countrykids
Kriss MacDonald recently posted…The Great Pumpkin patch
Wow that looks an amazing place to visit. My nan-in-law loves witches I might look into seeing if she would like to go. Bet it could be quite scary mind.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Halloween Alternative to Trick or Treat Ideas #MotivationalMonday
Looks truly majestic! That stag is amazing, I had to look twice to check it was real!
What great photos! He’s a rather dubious statute at the top isn’t he?
Erica Price recently posted…Running Free And Climbing Trees
What a lovely sounding place! I don’t know much about Germany at all, but I think I need to find out more…love the cute little wild boar, though don’t suppose I’d love it when it’s all grown up!
LearnerMother recently posted…On a night at the beach
What an amazing place to visit. And that little piglet is so cute!
The Reading Residence recently posted…We Connect With Nature
What an amazing place!
Wow this place looks absolutely amazing, what a fabulous place to visit. I bet you took about 400 photos! Just wonderful to see.
Are you at the Next event on Monday by the way? I’ll be there, be lovely to meet you 🙂
Charly Dove recently posted…Autumn adventures at RHS Wisley
I love fairytales. This place looks amazing.
Stephanie recently posted…There’s only one rule of motherhood and it’s this…..
That first picture is just fantastic!!!!
otilia recently posted…Differential treatment
That does look like a fun place to see
Love the photographs, amazing images.
Amanda recently posted…Ana Snapshot : Postcard from the French Riviera
OMG I have to go there! I am one of those people who loves anything to do with horror, ghosts, witches, the supernatural etc! I have visited a few haunted places but not this one – love the photos – great review thanks!
Waw what a wonderful place to visit with kids! Your pictures are gorgeous. I am very happy I found your blog through Point Shoot at snowingindoors!
Love the rock with the eyes, and the rocks look so spooky and magical!
Tina Mansfield recently posted…Exbury gardens spooky Halloween train
another great place to visit if we ever get out of the UK x
Cakesphotoslife (Angie) recently posted…Pumpkin and sweetcorn fritters – recipe
Gosh that stag is magnificent, one ran out in front of my car on the school run the other day I nearly jumped out of my skin! Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Making our playroom beautiful
Wow, what a magical place to visit and it incorporates so many different things like nature, art, geography and of course myth and legend. I would love to see this place for real one day
Mari recently posted…Could we be the Royal Family?
Oh wow I would so love to visit! I was completely obsessed with witch folklore as a teenager (and still might be a teensy bit). The photos are gorgeous and that view! Breathtaking – what a wonderful place.
Stacey Corrin recently posted…A Walk In The Park
AMAZING! Looks a fabulous place to visit and great pictures too 🙂
Donna @ Little Lilypad Co recently posted…Silent Sunday 27-Oct-13
I love fairy tales and legends, so would definitely love to visit somewhere like this. Mads is pretty into witches at the moment too. The photos are gorgeous and the view is as well. You have so many lovely places to take Amy where you grew up. x
Katie @mummydaddyme recently posted…Simple Autumn Days.
I love places like this, and your photos are amazing!
Andrea @loveandcake recently posted…Halloween cupcakes with Baking Mad
As a Pagan I find this fascinating.Lots of Christianity mixed in folklore misinterprets a lot about the old religion.I won’t clog up your comment box but I’ll get on to writing something for Halloween.
Aly recently posted…Blip- Postnatal Depression Awareness Week
Make sure to ping me a link, Aly. I would really like to read more about it x
What a fab place for a day out – especially at this time of year. #MagicMoments
Mummy to boyz recently posted…The protective big brother
Fabulous fabulous post. So interesting to hear about this place and wonderful photos! Thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory too 🙂
Charly Dove recently posted…The Emerald Lakes
WOW what an utterly amazing place!! it really does look stunning.
Thanks for sharing and linking up with #MagicMoments x
Jaime Oliver recently posted…Bringing Back The Baking Be-Ro Syle
That rally does look like a great value day out, lots of fun. Your pictures are great
Amazing place. The face of the witch in the second picture is creepy!
That animal park looks fab! Always up for animal adventures in our family! Thanks for linking up to #SavouringtheSeason
Wow…what an incredible place. Thanks for sharing at the outdoor Play Party.
Jen recently posted…The Coffee Cake, Martha and Me