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The Restless Spirit of Hans Franz Nägeli: The Ghost of the Fricktreppe

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An old staircase in Bern, Switzerland is said to hold an old legend. Hans Franz Nägeli, a former leader of the city is said to haunt the Fricktreppe in the Old Town, appearing to those calling out his name thrice. 

High above the winding banks of the Aare River, in the heart of Bern’s storied Old Town, stands the Fricktreppe, a picturesque, covered wooden staircase that leads from Münsterplatz down to the river’s edge. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from Switzerland

Hidden among the cobbled streets and steep medieval passageways, the Frick Staircase feels like a place suspended in time. And for some in Bern, the stairs are reportedly haunted by one of the city’s most infamous spirits: the ghost of former city leader, Hans Franz Nägeli.

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A Mayor, a Warrior, a Tormented Soul

Hans Franz Nägeli was born around 1497 and rose to great prominence as a military commander and politician. His most famous accomplishment was the 1536 conquest of Vaud, expanding Bernese territory deep into French-speaking lands. But despite his victories and public service, something seems to have followed him beyond the grave.

Hans Franz Nägeli: (c. 1497 – 9 January 1579) was a Swiss politician, military leader and diplomat who was a prominent force in Bern for four decades. He was the Schultheiß, or the chief magistrate, of Bern from 1540 to 1568.

When Nägeli died in 1579, his name was already legendary. Yet, in the centuries that followed, whispers began to spread that his spirit never found rest. Locals say that Nägeli, once a man of power and control, is now a restless presence wandering the Fricktreppe where his soul is said to still be bound to the city he ruled and fought for. 

The Haunted Fricktreppe

Where Munsterplatz turns into Herrengasse, at number 1, is the Fricktreppe, a covered wooden staircase, connecting the upper town with the Matte district. The staircase, with its 183 wooden steps, dates back to the 14th century.

Though the Fricktreppe is charming by day with its covered wooden roof, age-worn steps, and atmospheric views of the river below, it takes on an entirely different air at night. The creaking boards, the rustle of wind through ancient timbers, and the eerie silence of the Aare below all contribute to a deep sense of unease. Locals have reported feeling watched when passing through after dark, and a few even claim to have heard boots pacing steadily above them, echoing down through centuries.

As the legend goes, Nägeli’s ghost appears to those bold enough to summon him. According to an old urban legend passed through generations of Bernese youth, if you stand at the base of the Fricktreppe at precisely midnight and call out “Vater Nägeli” three times, the mayor’s spirit will descend the stairs from the top, cloaked in darkness.

A story tells of two women who were in great need once, desperate to try anything. As they had heard, they called out his name three times to ask for help. Suddenly, a wall opened, and a tall, bright figure stepped out of it. “What do you want?” asked a grumpy voice. Then one of the women summoned all her courage and told the man about their shared misfortune. “Just go home,” the voice replied. But as the women looked, they saw that the figure became darker and darker and finally disappeared completely.

When the women returned to their rooms, a bright light burned on the table. A pile of gold lay beside it, along with a large loaf of bread. And although the women took some of the gold every day, some of the pile still remained.

The Ghost of Hans Franz Nägeli

This ritual has become a rite of passage for daring locals. Young boys, in particular, are said to try their luck by shouting the ghost’s name after the witching hour. Some do it for fun, others to impress their friends—but few are prepared for what might actually happen.

Witnesses have claimed to see a tall, stern figure in 16th-century attire appear at the top of the stairs. Even more chilling are the tales of those who say they felt an invisible hand strike them—slapped by the ghostly mayor himself for mocking his name. It’s said that Nägeli will only tolerate respectful summoning; those who jeer or tease may find themselves with a bruised cheek or a shaken spirit.

The Treasure Underground

The city’s underground passages conceal a treasure; everyone knows that. But not everyone knows that Father Nägeli can give the key that leads to it. Near the Münzgraben, the passage leads deep, deep underground, and after feeling your way along its walls for a while, you notice a small, bluish light in the distance. You approach the light – and suddenly a larger-than-life, snarling dog blocks your way. If you know the password, it lets you through. And if you are allowed to continue on your way, you come to a gate through which a light-filled room sends a sea of rays out into the dark passage.

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Once you’ve become accustomed to the intense light, you’ll see three sacks on the floor of the crypt. From these, you must take a handful of earth and then leave the place immediately. Woe to those who cannot pause in silence or cannot bring themselves to look back once more. The earth turns to ash in their hands. But whoever leaves the corridor as he was commanded will hold bright gold in both hands at the exit.

Other Ghosts Haunting the Stairs and Street

The ghost of Hans Franz Nägeli is certainly not the only ghost said to haunt the area. From time to time, at midnight, an old man walks from the Frick stairs toward Junkerngasse. Some claim he walks on goat’s feet, others say he has no feet at all. On his way, however, he moans and complains loudly: “Put shoes on every dead man’s feet in the grave.”

Perhaps this story has a connection with the ghost of the butcher apprentice said to haunt Rathausgate after being cursed. 

Read the whole story: The Cursed Butcher Apprentice Haunting Rathausgasse in Bern  

Others claim to see a young woman wandering around. She died in childbirth, they say, and now has to search for her child again and again because no one had put shoes on her in the grave.

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References:

Geisterstadt Bern – SWI swissinfo.ch 

Diese Geister spuken durch die Gassen und Häuser der Stadt 

Greeley Daily Tribune from Greeley, Colorado – Newspapers.com™ 

Hans Franz Nägeli – Wikipedia

Die Fricktreppe – Historisches Bern

Von Vater Nägeli | Märchenstiftung

https://www.maerchenstiftung.ch/maerchendatenbank/11830/schuhe-ins-grab

https://www.maerchenstiftung.ch/maerchendatenbank/11883/der-unterirdische-schatz

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The Dream of the Basel Rhine Bridge about the Buried Treasure

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A legend goes that a simple farmer from the Emmental in the Swizz alps had a dream about finding gold at the bridge in Basel. Visited by a ghostly shadow, he was guided around the country to find it. 

Basel’s Mittlere Brücke, the ancient bridge crossing the Rhine, has long been the setting for legends, mysteries, and ghost stories. One of the most curious tales comes not from the city itself, but from the remote Alp Rafrüti in the Emmental, where a poor laborer once lived with his family in hardship.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Switzerland

One night, this man was visited by a dream so vivid it unsettled his sleep as he slept in his bed in Emmental. In it, a voice told him that his fortune awaited him on the Rhine Bridge in Basel, over 80 kilometers away. He awoke, dismissing it as nonsense. But when the same dream came a second night, and a third, he grew restless. With no other prospects and an urgent need to provide for his family, he set off for Basel.

The Emmental: is a valley in west-central Switzerland, forming part of the canton of Bern, mostly made up by farmers and known for its cheese and pottery. Rafrüti is mostly known for being the place where the first and second latest meteorite was found in Switzerland.

The Search For Treasure at The Mittlere Brücke

The Mittlere Brücke, or the middle bridge is one of the oldest bridges across the Rhine, dating back to 1223, and has become the very symbol of Basel today, connecting Grossbasel (Greater Basel) and Kleinbasel (Lesser Basel).

When he arrived, the laborer walked slowly across the bridge, eyes scanning the stones and riverbanks, hoping for some sign. But there was nothing unusual to be seen. He spent the entire day pacing the length of the bridge. The next day, he did the same, and again on the third. The old bridge was well-worn by the passing feet of merchants, boatmen, and townsfolk, but none seemed to notice the weary man from the Emmental.

Basel’s Mittlere Brücke: The bridge around 1760. Copperplate engraving by David Herrliberger after a model by Emanuel Büchel.

A city policeman, however, had observed him all this time. Puzzled by the stranger’s constant wandering and troubled look, the officer finally approached him. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “You’ve been walking this bridge for days now. What are you looking for?”

The laborer, exhausted and disheartened, confessed his dream and his fruitless search. The policeman chuckled and shook his head. “Ah, don’t believe in such foolish dreams,” he said. “Last night, I dreamt there was a treasure buried under a kitchen in a place called Rafrüti. But who knows where that is?”

The Treasure at Home

The laborer’s eyes widened. He said nothing, but turned on his heel and hurried all the way back to his humble Alpine hut. Without delay, he began digging a hole in the middle of his kitchen floor. The soil was cold and hard, but he dug deeper and deeper until a dark figure appeared beside him, a silent, black shape that picked up a spade and began to dig as well.

At last, their tools struck metal. Together, they unearthed a large, heavy pot filled to the brim with gold coins. The black figure then separated the treasure into three equal piles and spoke in a voice like the wind through ancient trees:

“Choose, laborer! One pile is for the poor, one for me, and one for you. But choose wisely, or you’ll regret it!”

The man hesitated, fear clutching at his heart. Then, he thought: Why should a creature of shadow need gold? And why should I decide who deserves this wealth? So instead of choosing, he swept all three piles together into a single heap and declared:

“I’ll take this one  and share it as I see fit.”

In that instant, the black figure vanished without a sound. From that day forward, the laborer and his family lived comfortably, freed from want and fear. The Basel Rhine Bridge had indeed brought him fortune.

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References:

Tour Description «Walk of legends» Place 1: Claraplatz and Rebgasse

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The Haunting of Manzanita Beach and the buried Treasure on Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon

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Said to be guarded by the ghosts of some unfortunate victims murdered, it is said that a treasure of gold is buried on Neahkahnie Mountain by a Spanish Galleon coming perhaps from the Philippines to the Manzanita Beach.  

Between the chill winds of the Pacific Ocean and the misty pines of the Oregon coast lies Manzanita Beach, a quiet stretch of sand near Nehalem Bay that draws travelers with its breathtaking beauty and repels the brave of heart with something far darker. 

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At the heart of this haunting with Neahkahnie Mountain looming overhead, is a tale soaked in saltwater, blood, and betrayal, tracing back to the 17th century, when a Spanish galleon, rumored to be heavy with gold and secrets, met its end off the rugged Oregon coast.

Manzanita Beach: A serene view of Manzanita Beach, with Neahkahnie Mountain looming in the background, shrouded in mystery and legends of hidden treasure.

The Cursed Galleon and the Mountain of the Dead

Manzanita Beach in Nehalem Bay is near Neahkahnie Mountain, the supposed site of a wrecked 17th century Spanish galleon. At least two of Oregon’s historical shipwrecks occurred off the Manzanita coast: the Glenesslin in 1913, and the Santo Cristo de Burgos (disappeared 1693) which has generated rumors of treasure buried on Neahkahnie Mountain.

Spanish Manila Galleon of Treasures: An illustration of a Spanish galleon, symbolizing the legends of treasure and shipwrecks near Neahkahnie Mountain.

In those days, conquistadors were carrying boatloads of Aztec and Incan gold to Spain. Legend says the ship, possibly a Manila galleon returning from the East Indies, was pushed off course by a violent storm and wrecked near Neahkahnie Mountain, a looming and sacred landmark that towers just inland from Manzanita Beach. Spanish sailors, desperate to protect their cargo, are said to have dragged it ashore, hiding their treasure deep within the shadowed slopes of the mountain—or beneath the shifting sands of the beach itself.

The Haunted Mountains: A rugged cliffside view showcasing a stone wall along the winding road near Neahkahnie Mountain, close to Manzanita Beach.

But the most chilling part of the tale? To guard their hidden trove from local tribes, the sailors allegedly buried enslaved men alive with the gold—living sentinels forced into an eternal watch. The indigenous Tillamook people lived along the Oregon coast, including the Manzanita area for about 12,000 years. They suffered from smallpox and other illnesses brought by white settlers, and the few remaining Tillamook people were relocated to the Siletz and Grand Ronde reservations in the 1850s. They were extremely careful with graves. 

Tillamook Tribe in Oregon: Historical figures adorned in traditional attire, reflecting the cultural heritage of the indigenous people of the Oregon coast.

According to the legend, these men were either African or Southeast Asian slaves brought aboard the ship, voiceless and forgotten by history, but not, it seems, by the land.

Today, odd formations dot the beach with stone outcrops that seem too intentional, too sculpted by unseen hands.These mysterious piles of rocks that appear overnight have been happening for years, and no one knows what it is and who did it. Some believe they mark where the treasure lies. Others believe they’re graves.

Reflections of the Forgotten

Manzanita means ‘little apple’ in Spanish. Modern Manzanita may look serene, but beneath the surface, things aren’t always what they seem.

Winston Laszlo, owner of a the Old Wheeler Hotel near the beach, has shared disturbing experiences: reflections in mirrors showing people who aren’t there, voices whispering in languages long lost to time, and apparitions that flit through the dark corners of the basement—one of which he swears wears rusted chains.

“It’s like the whole place hums,” Laszlo once said. “Not loud. Not even in your ears. But in your bones.”

Some guests have reported unshakable dreams of being buried alive, of choking on sand, or of watching as shadowy figures carry chests ashore under moonlight. Even more chilling are the reports of footprints in the morning—bare, human footprints that begin at the sea and vanish into the dunes, where no one walks.

The Restless Night Watchers

On foggy nights, residents say the beach seems to breathe, as if exhaling secrets from the sea. Figures are spotted moving slowly up and down the shoreline, heads bowed, chains trailing in the sand. Dogs refuse to approach certain parts of the beach, and children sometimes say they hear men crying beneath the waves.

Folklorists and paranormal investigators who’ve visited Manzanita Beach speak of a “psychic weight” that clings to the place. Mediums have claimed to sense trapped souls, spirits that never received burial rites, still reaching out in agony, bound not just to the treasure but to their unjust end.

While no definitive archaeological discovery has ever confirmed the shipwreck or the buried gold, the legend persists. It seems to date back to the mid-1800s by the first Hudson’s Bay Company. The mountain, the beach, and the odd, chilling experiences shared by locals seem to speak to something unresolved.

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References:

Truth Behind the Story — Pirate’s Treasure « Mindy Meyers-Halleck 

Ghost Hunting on Oregon’s Coast – Legends of America 

Manzanita, Oregon – Wikipedia 

Neahkahnie Mountain – Atlas Obscura 

The Spanish Gold of Neahkahnie Mountain 

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The Haunted Legends of the Rose City, Petra in Jordan

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Dubbed the rose city because of the red rocks it is carved out of, the mysterious Petra in Jordan has captivated the local Bedouins as well as the tourists across the world for centuries. But what ghosts and ghouls are haunting the place?

Petra, Jordan, is a city steeped in mystery and intrigue. Known as the Rose City, Petra is home to some of the most impressive ancient architecture in the world. But behind the stunning facade lies a dark and haunted history. From tales of curses and lost treasure to unexplained apparitions and eerie sounds, Petra is a place where the paranormal and the historical collide. 

From the ghostly whispers of ancient spirits to the curses of long-dead pharaohs, there’s no shortage of spine-tingling stories to be found in Petra, often called Rose city because of the reddish sandstone cliffs. 

Haunted Ancient City: The stunning Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, carved into the rose-red cliffs of Petra, Jordan. A lot of strange things and legends about the place have made many think that the city is haunted.

The History of Petra

Petra is an ancient city that was once the capital of the Nabataean kingdom. The city was founded in the 6th century BC and was a major trading hub for spices, incense, and other valuable goods. Petra’s location at the intersection of several important trade routes made it a wealthy and powerful city.

The Nabataeans were skilled architects and engineers who carved their homes and temples out of the sandstone cliffs that surround Petra. The most famous of these structures is the Treasury, a magnificent temple that was carved into the rock face and served as the tomb of a Nabataean king.

There are huge Hellenistic structures carved into solid rock that served as a mausoleum for the wealthy dead. 

Petra’s glory days came to an end in the 2nd century AD when the city was conquered by the Roman Empire. There were also earthquakes that changed the trade route that contributed to the decline of Petra. Permanent residency of Petra essentially ended in the 6th century CE, when water access was diminished for the city’s 20,000 inhabitants and regional competitor Palmyra took the reins of the trade between the Persians and the Romans.

Over time, Petra was abandoned and fell into ruin. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Petra was rediscovered by Western explorers in 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt made the locals bring him there, and it became a popular tourist destination. Despite its ancient origins, Petra’s history is not all sunshine and roses. The city has seen its fair share of tragedy and bloodshed over the centuries, which has given rise to some of the most chilling ghost stories in the world.

The Forgotten Treasury Al-Khazneh

One of the most famous legends associated with Petra is that of the lost treasure of the Nabataeans called Al-Khazneh, or the enchanted Treasury. According to this legend from Bedouin folklore, the Nabataeans were incredibly wealthy from spice and silk trade and amassed a vast fortune over the centuries. When the Romans invaded Petra, the Nabataeans were forced to flee, leaving their treasure behind. It is said that the treasure is still hidden somewhere in Petra, waiting to be discovered by a brave and lucky adventurer.

Al-Khazneh: The stunning Treasury of Petra, a testament to Nabataean architecture carved into the rose-red cliffs. It is thought that Al-Khazneh was built as a mausoleum and crypt at the beginning of the 1st century AD during the reign of Aretas IV Philopatris.

One legend about the treasury is that to protect the treasure, a pharaoh put a curse on the place. According to the story, an Egyptian pharaoh and some in his army escaped when the Red Sea closed when they hunted Moses. They created the treasury with magic as a safe place before they continued to hunt Moses down. And those willing to break the rules and search for the treasure, will feel the wrath of the curse. 

Some think that the treasury was more a place of worship or a burial chamber, more than a place of hiding away treasures. Many of the sculptures are of various creatures from mythology that were associated with the afterlife. 

Petra is also home to several mysterious and unexplained phenomena. Visitors to the city have reported hearing ghostly whispers and moans coming from the ancient ruins. Some have even claimed to have seen apparitions of long-dead Nabataean warriors and priestesses wandering the streets of Petra, still protecting their home.

The Haunted Stories of Petra

Visitors to Petra have reported a wide range of paranormal activities. Some have reported seeing orbs of light floating through the ancient ruins, while others have claimed to have heard disembodied voices and footsteps. Some have even reported feeling a cold breeze or a sudden drop in temperature, even on the hottest days.

The Siq: The narrow sandstone gorge leading into Petra, known as the Siq, offers a glimpse of the stunning red rock formations characteristic of the Rose City. The Siq literally ‘the Shaft’, is the main entrance. Also known as Siqit, it is a dim, narrow gorge (in some points no more than 3 metres (10 ft) wide) and winds its way approximately 1.2 kilometres (3⁄4 mi) and ends at Petra’s most elaborate ruin, Al-Khazneh.

Some say that the ghosts haunting Petra are Nabatean merchants or Roman legionnaires who died in battle. There are also those saying that the place is haunted by a group of school girls. 

In 1963, a sudden flood killed 23 Lebanese schoolgirls. According to some, their spirit is haunting the halls and you can hear their laughter turning into screams after night echoing through the red walls in the mile long gorge or Siq, leading into Petra. 

The Djinn Blocks

When you walk down the Street of Facades you will come across three enormous obelisks called Djinn Blocks. The blocks are probably from the 2nd century B.C and according to bedouin legends, they were the dwellings of the djinns, an Islamic legend about the Djinns, made from smokeless fire. 

Source: Flickr

They appear to visitors as a flash of light or as a blowing whirls of wind. Djinns are said to appear at night and are said to be behind the nightly haunting when they came from the burial chambers and dark corners of Petra.

The Monastery Ad-Deir

Getting to higher ground, you will find the Monastery, or the Ad-Deir. This monumental building was probably carved out from rock in the mid-first century AD. It is perhaps the second most known building in Petra after the Khazneh. 

The Monastery Ad-Deir: a stunning architectural marvel carved into the rock, stands majestically against the backdrop of Petra’s rugged landscape. The building is believed to be haunted by someone guarding this sacred ground.

According to stories, the ghost of a guard is haunting this location. There are also those saying they have seen someone looking like wearing ancient robes like a Nabatean monk, disappearing around behind the walls. 

Like someone is still protecting their sacred ground. 

The Mystery of Petra’s Lost City

Despite its haunted history, Petra remains a popular tourist destination. Visitors flock to the city from all over the world to explore the ancient ruins and experience the rich history and culture of the Nabataean people.

In fact, the surface of Khazneh has receded by 40 mm in less than ten years from people touching, leaning or rubbing against the walls. 

Perhaps the greatest mystery of Petra is the city itself. Despite years of archaeological research, much of Petra remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The city is home to several hidden tombs and underground tunnels, many of which have yet to be fully explored. Some believe that these tunnels lead to secret chambers where the lost treasure of the Nabataeans is hidden.

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References:

The Backstory Behind Petra, Jordan’s Ancient Ghost City

Echoes in the Rose-Red Stone: Petra’s Haunted History as Jordan’s Desert Mirage | Horror 

Block tombs, Bab as-Siq, Petra. Art Destination Jordan

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The Haunting of Ballyheigue Castle and the Tale of Lost Treasure

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One dark night, a Danish ship wrecked not far from Ballyheigue Castle. The ship carried silver and during a raid of the castle, the treasure was lost. What was the real reason for the ship being wrecked, and who was the ghostly figure in a picture taken centuries later?

On the Atlantic coast of Eire, in the serene village of Ballyheigue, stands the enigmatic Ballyheigue Castle. Conceived by the visionary architect Richard Morrison in 1810, this grand mansion was once the proud abode of the illustrious Crosbie family in its Tudor-gothic-revival style. 

Today, it stands as a mere shell of ruins as many of the old Irish castles and mansions, embraced by the lush green expanse of a golf course that was built in 1996.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

From 1890, parts of the castle were used as a Royal Irish Constabulary station. May 27, 1921, it succumbed to the flames of the Irish War of Independence, a casualty in the battle against British Imperialism. This was not so uncommon during this time, and many of the old castles and big houses met the same fate. 

Ballyheigue Castle: Now only the ruins stands of the former castle on what is now used as a golf course. It is believed that a ghost is haunting the place as strange figures have showed up on pictures of those visiting. //Source: Wikimedia

It is said that, before the castle met its fiery end, the community rallied to plunder its contents, an act of defiance before the torch was applied. What is true though is that only ruins and ghost stories are now left.

The Ghosts of Ballyheigue Castle

Ballyheigue, pronounced “baleyhigh,” bears the weight of its storied past, once a haven for smugglers who roamed the treacherous Irish coast. This comes to show in the ghost stories and legends.

In June 1962, Captain P. D. O’Donnell and his family went on a holiday in Ballyheigue. O’Donnell, later recounting his experiences in the ‘Ireland of the Welcomes’ magazine, published by Bord Failte Eireann (the Irish Tourist Board), unveiled a chilling chapter of Ballyheigue Castle’s history.

One afternoon during their stay, O’Donnell and his eight-year-old son, Frank, ventured into the crumbling remnants of Ballyheigue Castle. This once-proud fortress had belonged to the Crosbie family, who had wielded power over County Kerry for generations. After thorough exploration of the castle’s ruins, O’Donnell captured several photographs of the decaying walls before going home and developing his holiday pictures.

Curiously, upon developing the photographs, one image revealed an anomaly—a mysterious figure standing in one of the windows. This spectral presence held a sword and appeared dressed in what looked to be a sailors outfit. After checking out what they could, they concluded that this was no result of double exposure.

Alas, the sole print of this haunting photograph, along with the negative, vanished when he sent it to a friend. Despite extensive efforts, including newspaper advertisements and printed leaflets offering substantial rewards, the elusive image remained lost. 

Strangely, offers to purchase the Danish rights to the photograph poured in, even from as far afield as Copenhagen. Why were the Danes so intrigued by a ghostly picture?

The Wreckers of the Coast

As recounted in the ancient chronicles of Kerry, the Danish ship Golden Lyon, part of the Danish Asiatic Company’s fleet en route from Copenhagen to Tranquebar, was wrecked on Ballyheigue beach on October 30, 1730. 

The relentless fury of a storm had cast the ship off course, rendering it vulnerable to the opportunistic Crosbies—so the legends say. Dark tales persist of the Crosbies employing false lights attached to the heads of horses, drawing unsuspecting ships into perilous waters. This was done so the people on land could ‘salvage’ the goods the ships were carrying.  

Ballyheigue Beach: This is the beach that the Danish ship carrying silver wrecked. Perhaps on purpose on those on the beach coming from the castle. //Source: Wikimedia

Sailors on the ships at night were deceived by the bobbing lights that seemed to signal safe passage, and found themselves shipwrecked among the unforgiving Atlantic breakers.

People who did this were called ‘Wreckers’, and was a common story told across the coast and feared the same way ships feared pirates. There are also tales that the crews of these ships were slaughtered to leave no witnesses. 

Common law back then was that the goods from shipwrecks belonged to those residing on the shore it drifted in from and it could be a highly lucrative business of ships coming from far and bringing with them treasures and other goods. 

The Twelve Chests of Silver

The crew of the ill-fated Golden Lyon faced an unforeseen rescue mission, orchestrated by Sir Thomas Crosbie and his cohorts coming from Ballyheigue Castle. Amid the wreckage, they salvaged a substantial portion of the Danish ship’s cargo, including a cache of silver bars and coins concealed within twelve chests. 

The crew were welcomed to the Crosbies and stayed at Ballyheigue Castle. Did the Crosbies really wreck the ship on purpose? Or were they actually the helpful locals they posed as? It wasn’t long before Sir Thomas met an untimely demise, some suspecting poison at the hands of his own wife.

Lady Margaret, widow of Sir Thomas Crosbie, laid claim to a staggering £4,300.00 (equivalent to a princely £110,800.00 today) from Captain J. Heitman, master of the Danish ship, citing it as salvage and compensation for her husband’s demise, attributing him dying to the “labors and exertions on the night of the wreck.” Fearing for the safety of his twelve chests of silver, Captain Heitman transported them to the castle’s cellar, stationing a vigilant guard at the entrance until he could arrange for their return to Denmark.

The Raiding of the Castle

Soon after, there was a raid on Ballyheigue Castle and the chests of silver vanished under the cover of night. Authorities managed to recover a meager £5,000.00 of the total £20,000.00 worth of silver.

Lady Margaret’s name hovered ominously over the shadows of suspicion of her orchestrating the raid, yet she vehemently denied any involvement. Today, local legends weave intricate tales of the whereabouts of the stolen silver.

It is said that one of the sailors standing guard tried to stop the robbery of the chests, but was killed in the process. Could this be the ghost seen in the picture from Ballyheigue Castle O’Donnell saw?

The Death Anniversary of the Ghost

What is also an interesting, and perhaps a creepy fact is the date the picture was taken. Historical records chronicle the Danish Silver Raid transpiring on June 4, 1731. O’Donnell’s photograph of the phantom sailor was taken on June 4, 1962—was it a spectral tribute to this ominous anniversary?

Another legend of the castle is that the silver in fact, never left the building. According to this story, the stolen silver is still underground and the sailor is trying to let us know. Perhaps one day another one will be shown to were it is, who knows, perhaps it will once again be on the anniversary of his death? 

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References:

Ballyheigue Castle – Mysterious Britain & Ireland 

Ballyheigue Castle – Wikipedia 

Salvage Tradition, Law and Lore – Irish Maritime History 

(PDF) The Ghost of Ballyheigue Castle | Francis Martin O’Donnell – Academia.edu 

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The Haunted Mystique on the Cliffs of Wenlock Edge

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From the cliffs rising above the green landscape in Shropshire, England, the Wenlock Edge houses more than one ghost story etched into the limestone of bandits, soldiers and buried treasures. 

A limestone escarpment draped in deciduous woodlands in Shropshire in England and holds the secrets of centuries past—the infamous Wenlock Edge. It is an 18 mile escarpment of grasslands and woodlands with old quarries and lime kilns from the past along the way and is considered one of the wonders of the English midlands because of its important geology as remains to when the midlands had a warmer climate near the Seychelles.

The Wenlock Edge has also been the site of many legends and ghost stories. Immortalized in A. E. Housman’s poetic verses and steeped in legends, this enchanting forest conceals tales of bandits, lost treasures, and spectral echoes that beckon intrepid visitors to tread with caution through its shadowed glades.

Ippikin’s Stolen Fortune

One of the legends told about this place is a ghost who is rumored to guard the buried treasures of a notorious bandit named Ippikin and one of the outcrops of the cliff is called Ippikin’s Rock.

Apparently he was a 13th century knight, and he spent his days raping and pillaging had a base in a cave on Wenlock Edge. A character etched into local lore, Ippikins stolen wealth of gold and precious stones is said to lie concealed beneath the earth, waiting for those bold enough to seek it out. 

The Ghostly Warning of Ippikin

For those who dare to tempt fate, a chilling encounter with Ippikins ghost awaits. Some of the legends also claim that he had the ability to renew his youth every 70 years as well. But one fateful day a bolt of lightning struck the cave and both him, his band of bandits and his treasure came crashing down, trapping their spirit for an eternity. Other versions says it was a rock that came tumbling down and blocking the entrance to the cave. 

A local superstition warns that if a traveler stands upon Wenlock Edge, repeating the incantation “Ippikin, Ippikin, keep away with your long chin,” they risk the spectral intervention of the outlaw. The consequence? A forceful push off the escarpment by the unseen hand of Ippikin himself, ensuring that visitors tread cautiously in this woodland realm.

Ippikins Rock: Thought to be the place were the buried treasure and the bandits hideout cave is located. The Main Crag at Ippikins Rock Ippikins Rock is the name applied to several outcrops of coralian limestone along the length of Wenlock Edge.Source: Richard Law/Wikimedia

Major Thomas Smallman’s Fateful Leap

Wenlock Edge is not only shrouded in the legend of Ippikin but also bears witness to the ghostly presence of Major Thomas Smallman. A Royalist officer during the English Civil War between 1642 to 1651, Smallman faced a dire predicament as Parliamentarian troops closed in while he carried a crucial dispatch to Shrewsbury. 

Rather than surrender, he made a daring choice—to ride his horse off a cliff. The horse met its demise, but miraculously, Smallman survived, caught by the branches of an apple tree and he made his way on foot to Shrewsbury to deliver the despatches. 

Although he survived the fall in the legend, it is said he returned to Wenlock Edge and his dead horse when he did die. The site of this audacious leap is forever known as Major’s Leap, and it resonates with the lingering spirit of a courageous officer and his steed.

The Cliffs of Wenlock Edge

Wenlock Edge stands dappled sunlight and shifting shadows, with the surrounding forest guarding its secrets, allowing the legends of Ippikin and Major Thomas Smallman to echo through the ages. 

Perhaps even hiding hidden treasures as well as stones and fossils of the truly ancient past.

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References:

BBC – Shropshire – places – Legends: Ippikin, the robber knight of Wenlock Edge 

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The Haunted Mysteries of Old House Woods

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A Virginian forest at Chesapeake Bay has centuries of ghost stories to tell. The Old House Woods are packed with the spirits of pirates guarding treasures, soldiers from the wars as well as entire ghost ships lingering above the dense treetops.

A man was making his way through the Old House Woods in the dead of night. His car had broken down and as he was trying to fix it, a dark shape came closer and closer. Too close, and too late the man fixing his car noticed the horror of what was happening. The man realized that it was something that looked like a skeleton wearing a golden armor. 

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“Is this the Kings Highway? I’ve lost my ship,” the skeleton asked, the bones cracking, a voice coming from nowhere, the dark sockets of where the eyes should be, seeing nothing. The man freaked out and ran off, but this was not the first time armed skeletons were seen in the forest, as local, Jesse Hudgins reported of as early as in 1929, and perhaps not the last either along with the other strange mysteries of haunted treasures, ghosts of redcoats and even ghost ships.

The Deep Dark Old House Woods

The boggy and dense pine tree forest close to the serene Chesapeake Bay, is an 50-acre expanse known as Old House Woods in the little town of Diggs in Virginia, holds more than just the remnants of an abandoned colonial-era homestead and has been known as the Black Forest or Haunted Woods by the locals for centuries. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Forests around the world

This mystical forest down the Beach Haven Road is said to be steeped in history and mystery. It is said to be haunted by the lingering spirits of British soldiers and pirates who sought to conceal their treasures in the shadows of the 17th and 18th centuries as well as many other shapes and echoes of ghosts. We will now have a look at some of the stories that came out of these woods.

Frannie Knight House of Angry Spirits

The ghost stories from this area go back centuries as it has been used as a secret port by many and the eerie early colonial area is all steeped in mystery. 

The woods are said to have gotten its name from an old colonial building from the late 1700s that was built in the middle of the woods. Whose house and where it was is uncertain. The building was abandoned and simply known as Frannie Knight House, and already then the place was said to be a haunted one. 

People believed the abandoned house to be haunted by angry spirits and two times it caught fire spontaneously, the second time it burned down. As the locals said at the time, it was like the house set itself on fire.

The Storm Woman Looming Above the Trees

Another strange thing seen around Old House Woods is the story about The Storm Woman. She can sometimes be seen, hovering above the treetops in her white nightgown. It is said she is surrounded by a green or blue light. 

Hanging above the trees she screams loudly, her ghostly voice echoing to the beach, as if she is warning the sailors about a storm that is coming. So although her appearance is fighting, perhaps she is one of the more kinder spirits you can encounter in the forest. 

The ghosts of redcoats from the wars are seen as shadows between the trees as well as stranger stories. Ghost animals are seen as horses and crows are attacking wanderers of the woods as well as Black Hounds. As well as some strange stories about the forest being haunted by headless cows as well. This haunted forest covers all sorts of specters.

Buried Treasure and Vanishing Fishermen

The eerie tales of Old House Woods began with the pursuit of hidden riches, and there are many stories about hidden treasures in the forest or on the beach. One of the stories is that a ship sailed from England in 1651 by King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester. The ship was on its way to Jamestown, but got off course and ended up in White Creek. 

The ship was seized by bandits that killed the crew and stole the treasure to bury it in the forest. It is said lanterns can be seen, green glowing in the dark and the ghost of the crew are still trying to protect the treasures as the ghost of the bandits are trying to dig it up.

Legend has it that in 1880, a daring fisherman named Tom Pipkin embarked on a quest for buried treasure within the forest’s depths. The locals were all warned to stay away from the forest as the woods were deep and the trees grew thick. There were also rampant pirates and thieves in the area and it was said that huge treasures were buried. 

To the dismay of the locals, Pipkin never returned, and his boat, discovered days later, held not only an air of mystery but also two gold Roman coins and a silver cup. The forest had claimed another seeker, leaving the treasure untouched and enigmatic.

Ghostly Maritime Spectacles of Ghost Ships

Old House Woods extends its supernatural influence to the nearby Chesapeake Bay, where maritime mysteries unfold and there are also many stories about seeing ghost ships on the misty shore as well as above the forest. One of the more well known stories is when local fisherman Ben Ferbee recounted an otherworldly encounter when he claimed to have heard the ethereal strains of harp and organ music emanating from an unseen source. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories concerning Ghost Ships

As he gazed upon the waters as he came out from White’s Creek, a colossal ghost ship materialized on the bay, defying the laws of the physical world. The phantom vessel glided over the beach, hovering above the woods, and revealed a surreal scene—an otherworldly crew descending from the deck on a rope ladder, armed with mysterious tools.

He called out, but they didn’t respond as they were heading straight towards him. It floated over his head and sailed ghostly up the beach over the trees. According to him, the ship stopped above the pine trees and threw down rope ladders the ghost climbed down from and disappeared through the trees.

Ghost Ships: One of the many legends about the woods is seeing the strange and haunted ghost ships floating above the trees or disappearing in the mist of the bay.

The Many Specters of Old House Woods

Old House Woods, with its spectral tales of vanished treasure seekers, ghostly maritime apparitions, and the secrets buried within its ancient trees, stands as a testament to the enigmatic forces that dwell within its borders. As night falls, and the whispers of bygone eras echo through the forest, those who venture into Old House Woods may find themselves facing a broad spectrum of ghosts. 

Armed skeletons and pirates still guarding their gold, ghost ships trying to find their ports and strange ghosts warning against an oncoming storm. 

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References:

Old House Woods: Insane Stories – Colonial Ghosts 

Mathews County Oral History and Folklore: Old House Woods and More!

https://ourcommunitynow.com/news-local/after-long-delay-virginia-lawmakers-advance-nominees-for-powerful-regulatory-jobs

Old House Woods in Diggs, Virginia – Paranormal 

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Rennes-le-Château’s Mysterious Hidden Treasures of the Occult

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Immerse yourself in the story of Rennes-le-Château filled with legends about Merovingian Bloodlines, hidden treasures from the Knight Templars and why this mysterious commune in France keeps attracting occultists and other treasure hunters.

Hidden amongst the picturesque rolling hills of the Languedoc region in France lies the mysterious commune of Rennes-le-Château where in 2018 there lived 91 people. Shrouded in mystery and intrigue for decades, this enigmatic hilltop village has captivated the imaginations of many for centuries with its array of puzzling relics, symbols and legends. 

As the stories of Rennes-le-Château have continued to develop, so too has the connections to corrupt influences from beyond. Various occultist figures have been linked with the tales of the hidden riches at Rennes-le-Château. Rumors about former members of secret societies who may have found some special knowledge of the holy grail.

History of Rennes-le-Château

The small village of Rennes-le-Château has a complex and fascinating history. It is believed to have been founded by the Visigoths during the 5th century, although there is evidence that it may have been inhabited since pre- Roman times due to its strategic positioning.

During the Middle Ages, it was part of the Cathar movement and was subject to much conflict between Catholics and Cathars until it eventually came under French rule in 1659. The castle was built around 1002.

The Mystery Surrounding the Commune

Today it is a well known place, but it wasn’t always so. Tucked away in rural France, no one payed much attention to the place until the legendary rumors started circulating. And it is much more recent than we like to think. 

Rennes-le-Château and its mysteries have captivated the minds of historians, conspiracy theorists, and curious adventurers alike. Legends such as the Priory of Sion, hidden treasure located beneath Notre Dame de Marceille church, ancestral connections to Jesus Christ, and even theories related to extraterrestrial life have all been linked to the commune. 

Although some have been debunked as myths over time, it still leaves a lingering sense of mystery that draws people from all around the world seeking answers.

Bérenger Saunière and The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail

One of the most mysterious characters associated with Rennes-le-Château is surely Bérenger Saunière, the former priest in charge of the local parish that is said to start the hunt for the hidden secrets in the place. He started to renovate the castle in the 19th century and it sparked conversation of where he got the money for that, and what he found when he renovated the old church.

Bérenger Saunière was in the midst of several controversies, about his wealth, beliefs and the spending of the church’s money. He was a peculiar priest and was even tried for trafficking masses of which he was found guilty of later. Still, people couldn’t make the math match of how much he spent and how much he made.  

He is most known for being at the center of several conspiracy theories about the place that eventually led to inspiring books like Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The Da Vinci Code among other tales about The Holy Grail, Knights Templars and the continuation of Jesus’s blood lineage. 

The Treasure of Blanche Castile

One theory was that he had found documents connected to the treasure of Blanche of Castile while he was renovating and it led him to a treasure of pure gold. 

She was a regent twice in her life as Queen of France during her son, Louis IX reign in the 1200s. She supposedly stacked a treasure in Rennes-le-Château that is said to still be there, at least parts of it. It was supposed to be a ransom to pay for Saint Louis, her son as he was a prisoner of the Saracens. 

Legends of Buried Treasures

But where did these rumors first start? We can mostly trace many of them back to the 50s and 60s from a local restaurant owner in Rennes-le-Château called Noël Corbu. A local newspaper printed a series of interviews of him where he claimed that the priest had discovered part of the treasure of Blanche of Castile. 

He had told the story so many times to his guests at the restaurant after failing himself to find the treasure that he allegedly heard about from the priest’s housekeeper, Marie Denarnaud.

Why he did this is difficult to say as he died in a car collision in 1968, but it brought big business to the area however and to this day the small place receives more tourists than locals each year. Over the years he did change his story more than one time over the years. 

The Mystical Place in France

Mystical Ley Lines, Occult treasures from the Visigoths or the Knights Templars, and sacred geometry as well as a classical UFO story, this place is like the French version of Roswell, Atlantis and the Bermuda Triangle, all in one. 

People found their metal detectors, mediums tried to sense their way and hypnotists found their pendulums to search the rest of the treasure. Even archeologists found their spades to excavate just in case. However to this day, not a gold piece has been found, let alone the Holy Grail.

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References

Bérenger Saunière – Wikipedia

Noël Corbu – Wikipedia 

Blanche of Castile – Wikipedia

Rennes-le-Château – Wikipedia

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The Mysterious Gouffre de Padirac Caves

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Step into the unknown and explore the mysterious Gouffre de Padirac Cave in France. From stunning rock formations to underground rivers there are many dark stories that have been told about this place.

Prepare to be amazed as you explore the mysterious Padirac Chasm in France, or as it is called in France, Gouffre de Padirac. It is an enormous cave in Lot in the Occitanie Region in Southern France.

With its stunning rock formations and underground rivers, this natural wonder is sure to leave an impression. Along with the sights, the cave also comes with some eerie tales of ghosts that have been told over its many years in existence.

The History of Gouffre de Padirac

The Gouffre de Padirac was discovered, or at least throughout explored in 1889 by Frenchman, Edouard-Alfred Martel, who explored its almost 100m deep abyss. 

The chasm itself was made in an unknown point in time however when the roof of the cave collapsed and opened the abyss. We do know though that the cavern existed all the way back in the 3rd century. In the 1400s and 1500s it was even inhabited. 

The Chasm to Hell: The big hole going down, supposedly all the way down to hell has been speculated about among the locals for centuries. //Source/ wikimedia/Sail over

During the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion, the locals used the intricate cave system of Gouffre de Padirac as a shelter from the raging battles. 

Today over 400 000 tourists come to explore the caves, and as you explore the place, you can imagine the intrigue that greeted this fascinating discovery. Along with its stalagmites, underground rivers and rock formations, Padirac Cave will take your breath away.

The Features of Gouffre de Padirac

As you descend the 33m wide, 10m high entrance of Padirac Cave, you will be immediately amazed at the incredible rock formations that line the walls of limestone. Some are painted in colors like red and yellow while others look like shimmering ice-sculpted mounds. 

A Boat Ride Underground: Another legend told about this underground tunnells full of secrets is that there is a hidden treasure protected by fire. //Source/wikimedia/Tim Tim (VD fr)

An underground river flows through the depths of the cave and can be seen and heard snaking through as you approach its 77m deep abyss. The galleries were hollowed out around one or two million years ago. The river also creates a mesmerizing misty spray which adds a mystical atmosphere to your tour.

Chasms Made by Lucifer Himself

It’s no wonder that Gouffre de Padirac is believed by many to be the work of Lucifer himself. The long winding paths, deep crevices and dark abyss have become home to many legends and mysteries

It is said that Saint Martin, a man traveling to spread the word of God to the locals, was passing by and suddenly Lucifer stood before him with a number of souls of peasants condemned to hell he was leading them into. Lucifer made the Gouffre with a swipe of a talon and challenged Saint Martin. 

He had to cross the Gouffre de Padirac, the entire abyss, the very way to hell to save the souls condemned for hell. To win this challenge, Saint Martin jumped with his mule over it all. The mule left the imprint of his hoof when he landed, and it is said you can still see it to this day.  

Hidden Treasures Protected by Fire

One of the more persistent legends about this abyss and a hole in the earth is that there is a hidden treasure hidden in the depths of Gouffre de Padirac.

There are still tales about flames coming from the caves. Popular belief is that it is to protect a treasure that the English hid away during the Hundred Years War when the end was near and they knew they had lost. 

Mysterious and Magical Cave

Since the late 1600s, countless visitors have reported a range of mysterious phenomena that appear to make this French cave amazing. From spooky glow-in-the-dark creatures dotted throughout the walls and ceilings to haunting whispers late at night when all other sounds go silent, there is certainly no lack of wonder or enchantment that can be found here. 

Stories of lost adventurers never escaped their explorations and tales of long forgotten relics awaken ancient legends amongst curious visitors.

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References

Padirac Cave – Gouffre de Padirac – Quercy

The geological history | Gouffre de Padirac

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The Lost Castle of Hollerwiese

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The story of the lost castle of Hollerwiese on Mariahilfberg Hill is still a mystery to this day. It is said that the ghosts of those living in the castle are still seen on the meadow where the castle once stood. 

East of the city of Amberg in Bavarian Germany, there is a forest-covered ridge, reaching the top called Mariahilfberg Hill and has many mysterious legends surrounding it. The hilltop is crowned with a beautiful church, surrounded by a vast forest. Behind the church is a meadow known as the Hollerwiese or Hollow Meadow. 

It used to be an unwooded area up until the 1800s but is now covered with trees like the rest of the hill, hiding away the name and the legend. But according to legend, the ground sounds strangely hollow when you throw stones on it. 

Read Also: This is not the only mysterious forest in the world. Read about the haunted Romanian forest Hoia Baciu as well.

The Two Sisters

There is a legend that once there was a castle standing where two very wealthy sisters lived. They had also inherited the monastery in Amberg and the towns of Raigering and Neumühle from their father and had more than enough for both of them. 

Their wealth was stored in huge barrels and chests in the basement of the castle of Hollerwiese. The two sisters decided to share their wealth with each other and together they promised to help each other and live in harmony. 

One of the sisters was blind and the seeing sister was the one counting the money and keeping track of their fortune. In the beginning the blind sister trusted her sister without questions. 

The Church on the hill: Here you see Wallfahrtskirche Maria Hilf in Amberg. The lost castle and the meadow are supposed to be right behind it. //Source: Campiana/wikimedia

The seeing sister got greedy however and started to keep more and more to herself, giving her sister less. This was something the blind sister started to suspect. 

One day, the blind sister felt with her hand on the uneven stacks of gold and realized how her sister had deceived her. She cursed the castle, making it sink into the earth, still with both of them inside where none of them would have the opportunity to spend their fortune. 

In some versions of the legend, the blind one got out of Hollerwiese and spent the rest of her life in Neumühle. 

It is said that during holy celebrations many see the two sisters, sitting in the meadow, waving at those passing, reminding them about the barrels of gold that sits just underneath the surface. 

The Robber Baron

Another version of the story of the lost castle of Hollerwiese is about the thief that supposedly lived in the castle on the mountain. He stole goods from merchants and harvests from farmers. His daughter was grieved by their fathers criminal acts and tried to undo everything he did wrong by giving back to those he robbed. 

Often did she beg her father to stop, but he only laughed at her. And when she warned him about the Heavens vengeance, he only ignored her. But in the end, his greed was punished. 

Under a terrible thunderstorm the entire castle was washed away with all the residents. According to legend, there can still be sound remains of it under the meadow. 

Ever since that fateful night, a maiden in a white robe is seen sitting on a stone near the Hollerwiese on the evening of the solstice. Next to her is a black dog with a golden key in his mouth. This key is said to be able to open the treasure chambers of the sunken castle. 

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