Bosorka Statue

Just a few steps from Bratislava Castle, this striking statue pays tribute to the many Slovak women who were burned or drowned in the Danube after being accused of witchcraft. Surrounded by crows, the sculpted figure stands as a powerful reminder of the countless women unjustly condemned simply for knowing how to heal others with medicinal herbs, skills that, in earlier times, were feared and labeled as witchcraft, a crime that was strictly forbidden. Created by sculptor Tibor Bartfay in 1990, the statue denounces religious fanaticism and intolerance, and placing it here beneath the castle sends a clear message: never again. It wasn’t until the reign of Maria Theresa in the 18th century that the burning of witches was officially banned, but even then, fear and ignorance continued to put women’s lives at risk. This memorial stands in their honor and reminds us of the dangers of fear-driven injustice.