Tradition: German Mythology
Alternative Names: Dragon of Gsäßtobel
Category: Dragon
The Myth
In ancient times, a terrifying dragon lived in the Gsäßtobel above Sigiswang. The creature was a menace to the entire surrounding countryside and caused great harm, becoming a source of fear for the local people.
At that time, a mysterious little man from Venice frequently visited Bolsterlang. He usually stayed overnight in a local house and always carried a remarkable mirror with him. Anyone who looked into the mirror could supposedly see the exact places where hidden treasures lay buried.
On one of his visits, the Venetian little man allowed several people to look into his mirror. Three hidden treasures appeared within it: one near Maiselstein, another at Sonderdorf, and a third on the Spek, a hill near Bolsterlang.
But the little man had no intention of searching for these treasures. He revealed that he had something far more dangerous to accomplish. He was going to the Gsäßtobel above Sigiswang to deal with the dragon.
The Venetian believed that if he succeeded in “carrying away” or removing the dragon, he would have enough wealth to last him for the rest of his life. He announced that he would undertake the attempt at noon, at twelve o’clock, and promised to give a sign if everything went successfully.
When the appointed hour arrived, a terrible storm suddenly broke over Sigiswang. Lightning flashed and thunder roared while violent winds tore through the countryside. The storm became so fierce that it seemed as though the entire village might be destroyed.
Then, just as suddenly, the storm began to subside. A strange apparition appeared in the sky, as though something had passed through the air, with what looked like a hand visible within it. This was taken as the promised sign that the Venetian’s dangerous undertaking had succeeded.
The little man never returned to Bolsterlang after that day. But the terrifying dragon of Gsäßtobel was gone, and the people of the surrounding countryside were finally free from the creature that had brought them so much fear and destruction.
Sources
“Der Drache.” SAGEN.at – Traditionelle Sagen aus Deutschland (Bayern, Allgäu). Reproduced by SAGEN.at.
https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/deutschland/bayern/allgaeu/drache.html