Ghost story
The Devil's servants at Ilumetsa craters
In the forest near Ilumetsa lie meteorite craters several thousand years old, the largest of them called Põrguhaud, Hell's Grave. Legend says a church once stood here. Three godless brothers went inside, and the church sank into the earth with a roar, leaving only the great hollow. Local people say lights are often seen around the crater at night, where the Devil's servants busy themselves polishing their master's gold. Visitors are warned that naming the horned one or swearing is strictly forbidden here, for whoever does so becomes his new servant. Today a short forest trail with information boards leads to the crater.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
Ilumetsa lähedal metsas asuvad mitme tuhande aasta vanused meteoriidikraatrid, millest suurimat kutsutakse Põrguhauaks. Legendi järgi seisis siin kunagi kirik. Kolm jumalakartmatut venda läksid sinna sisse ja kirik vajus mühinal maa sisse, jättes järele vaid suure lohu. Kohalikud räägivad, et öösiti on kraatri ümber tihti näha tulesid – seal askeldavad kuradi teenrid, kes poleerivad oma isanda kulda. Matkajaid hoiatatakse, et sarviku nime nimetamine ja vandumine on siin rangelt keelatud, sest kes seda teeb, saab tema uueks teenriks. Tänapäeval viib kraatrini lühike teabetahvlitega metsarada.
Source: Räpina-area legend in the Võru County Library literary-trip notes (2014) ↗