Witch's Hut
The Witch's Hut is closed
Located in Kildonan Park
Summer hours
Open Thursday through Monday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
This is a volunteer-run facility and hours are based on volunteer availability. The Witch's Hut may be closed periodically during the day to allow for breaks.
Winter hours
Closed October to mid-May
Background
The Brothers Grimm famous German fairy tale Hansel & Gretel is illustrated in the Witch's Hut. The Hut brings to life the story of the children of the poor woodcutter. Their lives changed forever after losing their way in the middle of a deep forest and finding a witch's hut built out of delicious gingerbread goodies and candies. The witch locks up Hansel, and his sister Gretel has to work for the witch. With guile the children overcome the witch's plan to eat them.
Since its opening in 1970, the Witch's Hut has been visited by thousands of people. It is also a favourite object for photographers and the site of the Fairy Tales Festival. It was a Centennial Project of the German Community of Manitoba and a gift to the children of the Province. Its dedication ceremony and official opening was in October 1970. The Hut was designed by the well known Manitoba architect Hans Peter Langes. It is round in shape and therefore not at all like the traditional gingerbread house. John Nelson did the actual masonry and handcrafted woodwork.