Tradition: German Mythology
Alternative Names: Lindwurm of the Legendary Lake
Category: Dragon
The Myth
In ancient times, a great lake was said to have occupied the broad hollow stretching west of Grainbach on the Samerberg toward Nußdorf am Inn. Remains of its supposed shores could still be recognized in the landscape, where enormous stones with holes running through their centers were found. These stones were believed to have been used for fastening the boats of fishermen who once sailed across the vanished lake.
Within its waters lived a terrifying Lindwurm. With its enormous tail, the monster smashed fishing boats and dragged the unfortunate fishermen down into the depths, where they disappeared forever. Again and again, courageous men attempted to destroy the creature.
Armed men would ride up from Nußdorf to hunt the dragon, but none ever managed to pass the place known as the Reiterstiegl. There, along the Grainbacher Achen, a small stream suddenly becomes very deep. The monster regularly blocked its enemies there.
The Lindwurm would open its enormous jaws and breathe fire and smoke toward the approaching warriors. Then it would beat its gigantic bat-like wings, creating such a violent storm that the men could go no farther. Those who had come to kill the monster were forced to turn back, while others were seized by the dreadful creature and torn apart, crushed, or devoured.
Although every attempt ended in failure, people continued to disturb the dragon in its lake. Eventually the constant attacks enraged it so greatly that it began thrashing about in the water. In its fury, it tore apart the shore toward Mühltal, weakening the banks until the day came when the lake finally broke through above Nußdorf.
The waters burst forth with a terrible roar, rushing down toward the village in a foaming torrent. Half of Nußdorf was swept away, carrying away everything and everyone caught in its path.
The flood reached even the heights where Castle Clammenstein then stood. The rocks supporting the castle walls were so severely undermined by the rushing water that the entire fortress collapsed. The once-proud and formidable Castle Clammenstein was utterly destroyed, with not a single stone left upon another.
Thus the Lindwurm that had once terrorized the fishermen became the force behind an even greater catastrophe: enraged by the people who repeatedly sought to kill it, the dragon tore open its own lake and unleashed its waters upon the valley.
Sources
“Der Lindwurm.” SAGEN.at – Traditionelle Sagen aus Deutschland (Bayern, Inntal). Reproduced by SAGEN.at.
https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/deutschland/bayern/inntal/lindwurm.html