Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Slovenia Kranjska Gora 'Ajdovska Deklica' ('Heathen Maiden')
AO Edited

'Ajdovska Deklica' ('Heathen Maiden')

An unmistakable facial pareidolia in the Julian Alps also includes a fantastic tale.

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Added By
Fred Cherrygarden
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
‘Ajdovska Deklica’ (‘Heathen Maiden’)   Frerk Meyer
Slovenia   Luka Esenko
‘Ajdovska Deklica’ (‘Heathen Maiden’)   DancingPhilosopher
‘Ajdovska Deklica’ (‘Heathen Maiden’)   Borut Kantuser
The face can be found in the center of the picture.   DancingPhilosopher
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Ajd literally means "heathen" in Slovenian, but it also denotes a certain supernatural quality. So, while the rock formation of "Ajdovska Deklica" is traditionally known to English speakers as the "Heathen Maiden" in English, it should be noted that this maiden is a little more fantastical than heathen.

According to local folklore, the maiden was a good-hearted villager who often guided travelers through snowstorms. Said to be a nymph or forest spirit in some renditions, she also had prophetic abilities and could foretell the fates of unborn babies. One day, she prophesized about a boy who would grow to become a hunter and catch the Zlatorog, or Goldenhorn, a mythical chamois buck with magical powers. Infuriated that she foresaw the death of the Zlatorog, legend says, the maiden's siblings placed a curse on her. When she returned home on Mount Prisojnik, her body was transformed into stone.

The maiden's cursed form remains on the northern wall of Prisojnik, its rocky outcrop forming the pareidolic imagery of her face. It's unmistakable if you're looking at it from the right angle.

Related Tags

Mountains Legends Natural Wonders History & Culture Nature
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Forest to Table in Alpine Slovenia

A Forest-to-Table Gastronomy Adventure in Slovenia.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Edited By

Luka Esenko

  • Luka Esenko

Published

December 22, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
'Ajdovska Deklica' ('Heathen Maiden')
73 Borovška cesta
Kranjska Gora, 4280
Slovenia
46.484814, 13.78647
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Monument to the Fallen Partisan Alpinists

Mojstrana, Slovenia

miles away

Cave del Predil

Cave del Predil, Italy

miles away

Fort Hermann

Bovec, Slovenia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Slovenia

Slovenia

Europe

Places 47
Stories 11

Nearby Places

Monument to the Fallen Partisan Alpinists

Mojstrana, Slovenia

miles away

Cave del Predil

Cave del Predil, Italy

miles away

Fort Hermann

Bovec, Slovenia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Slovenia

Slovenia

Europe

Places 47
Stories 11

Related Places

  • The eerie vegetation at the bottom of the sinkhole.

    Province of Rieti, Italy

    Dolina del Revotano

    This enormous sinkhole hides a secret world created from divine wrath.

  • Hole-in-the-Wall

    Mgxotyeni, South Africa

    Hole-in-the-Wall

    A massive rock in the surf steeped in legends.

  • Pozzo d’Antullo

    Collepardo, Italy

    Pozzo d'Antullo

    An enormous sinkhole that local lore attributes to the anger of the Virgin Mary.

  • Jättegrytorna i Tararp

    Karlshamn N, Sweden

    Jättegrytorna i Tararp (The Tarap Giant Kettles)

    A geological wonder that helped fuel myths of trolls and giants.

  • Sopotnički Vodopadi

    Sopotnica, Serbia

    Sopotnički Vodopadi

    This natural monument has an origin story steeped in legend.

  • Kanas or Ka Nasi Lake

    Altay Prefecture, China

    Kanas Lake

    A lake that borders Kazakhstan and Russia allegedly harbors the giant "Terror Trout" or "Chinese Nessie."

  • Mount Ishimaki, Aichi Prefecture.

    Toyohashi, Japan

    Mount Ishimaki

    A long-worshipped mountain, considered a "power spot" and suspected to be an ancient pyramid by some.

  • Winona, Missouri

    Rocky Falls

    A 40-foot waterfall flows into this unique natural swimming hole.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.