Järlepa crossroad

Location

State: Estonia
Region: Juuru Parish
County: Rapla
Parish: Juuru

Other references to the location

Järlepa village, on the crossroad of Mahtra-Järlepa road and Lõiuse-Järlepa road.

Coordinates

lat=59.127928990522, lon=24.910303943935
59° 7′ 40″ N, 24° 54′ 37″ E

Description

Four branches, directions: North-West to South-East, North-East to South-West, diameter 15 m. Three branches paved with asphalt, one with gravel. In the East a fifth branch (soil road) begins.

Narrative

Historical crossroads visited for healing and spellcraft. Although any crossroads could have been used for these arts, Järlepa is special for rituals that continued to be performed here into the modern era. Legends and lore People went to the Järlepa crossroads to make a kratt. We found a half-finished one there. Its insides were full of cops of yarn, it was tied with red yarn, it had wooden horns on its head. We threw it down and smashed it. It was bound with a rag. It had to be tied with three stolen broom straps. Things were also taken to Järlepa crossroads. It was designed to heal and help.You would take a handful of gravel with you when you left. The older people said something was bound to happen there. Women would go to Järlepa crossroads in secret to practise their customs. They enveloped themselves in white cloth and took a spinning wheel with them. Thursdays when there was a full moon were the time most frequently reserved for witchcraft.

Attraction

Unexpected and captivating due to the interwoven quotidian and sacred environments.

Availability

Located on the highway.

Infrastructure, management, facilities

Parking for cars or bus by the side of the road.

Local info

none

Capacity

41 and more

Publicity

Unknown

Legal Status

State land