True crime · 1527
The first witch executed in Livonia
The earliest confirmed execution for witchcraft anywhere in Livonia took place on the Saku estate outside Tallinn in 1527. It opened two centuries of trials: about 140 witchcraft trials are recorded in Estonia between 1520 and 1725. Unlike in most of Western Europe, the majority of the accused here were men. Belief in werewolves ran deep, and people accused of harming their neighbours in the shape of a wolf were tried as witches too.
Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today
Eesti keeles
Esimene kindlalt teada nõiduse eest hukkamine kogu Liivimaal toimus 1527. aastal Tallinna lähedal Saku mõisas. Sellega algas kaks sajandit kestnud nõiaprotsesside aeg: aastatel 1520–1725 on Eestis teada umbes 140 nõiaprotsessi. Erinevalt enamikust Lääne-Euroopast olid siin suurem osa süüdistatavatest mehed. Usk libahuntidesse oli tugev ning neidki, keda süüdistati hundi kujul naabritele kahju tegemises, kohtuti nõidadena.