The Legend of the Witches' Lake in Brașov

The Legend of Witches' Lake

One of the most well-known legends of Brașov is undoubtedly that of the Witches' Lake. It is said that at the end of Poarta Street, towards the exit of the Brașov Fortress, there used to be a lake where women suspected of witchcraft were drowned as punishment.

Fear of Witchcraft in the Middle Ages

It is known that in the Middle Ages, one of the greatest fears of people was the fear of witchcraft. For this reason, women suspected of practicing this occult *profession* were often severely punished:

• Burned at the stake
• Stoned to death
• Drowned in the Witches' Lake (in the case of Brașov Fortress)

The Punishment

The lake was located right next to the main entrance/exit gate of the Fortress, in the area of Poarta Street, now known as Republicii Street. Women sentenced to such punishments had weights tied to their feet and were then thrown into the water.

People believed that this way they would remain forever at the bottom of the water, as popular belief held that witches could not drown. The same legend states that if the witches managed to free themselves from the weights and returned to the surface, they would be burned at the stake.

The entire scene was witnessed by hundreds of people who attended the execution, as such events were common.

The Fate of the Lake

Today, all that remains is the legend. The lake in which hundreds of women likely lost their lives no longer exists. It was filled in at the beginning of the 19th century, and today an important thoroughfare of Brașov runs through its former location.