Põrgupõhja

Põrgupõhja is a place name found in Estonia, most notably associated with a specific location and a well-known folk tale. The most prominent "Põrgupõhja" refers to a former peat bog and its surrounding area in Rapla County. Historically, it was a challenging and often impassable terrain, contributing to its folklore.

The name "Põrgupõhja" literally translates to "bottom of hell" or "hell's bottom" in Estonian, suggesting a desolate and difficult place. This evocative name lent itself naturally to local legends and superstitions.

The most famous association with Põrgupõhja is the Estonian folk tale of Priidu the Devil's Son, or "Põrgupõhja uus Vanapagan" (The New Devil's Son from the Bottom of Hell). This story, widely known and adapted into a popular film, tells of a mischievous character who inherits his father's (the devil's) estate at Põrgupõhja and causes various humorous and often chaotic events. The tale likely draws upon the perceived harshness and remoteness of the actual Põrgupõhja landscape to create a fitting setting for supernatural and folkloric events. The story's enduring popularity has cemented Põrgupõhja in the Estonian cultural consciousness as a place of myth and legend.