Tradition: Liechtenstein Mythology
Alternative Names: The Lindworm of Mals, Mariahilf Lindworm
Category: Dragon
The Myth
Long ago, a terrible Lindworm roamed a swamp near the village of Mals, close to Balzers, causing great harm to the local inhabitants. The villagers tried every means they could think of to keep the monster away or drive it from the area, but nothing worked.
Unable to defeat the beast by natural means, the villagers turned to supernatural help. They held a nine-day devotion in honor of the Virgin Mary and made a solemn vow: if the dragon disappeared, they would build a chapel in her honor.
Their prayers were answered. The Lindworm suddenly vanished and was never seen again.
In gratitude, the villagers built the pilgrimage church of Mariahilf, which was gradually enlarged over time. The memory of the monster remains part of the site: a dragon’s head made of sheet metal sits atop the church tower, while several large holes high in the nearby rock face are still known locally as the “dragon holes.”
Sources
“Die Drachenlöcher.” SAGEN.at – Traditionelle Sagen aus Liechtenstein. Reproduced by SAGEN.at.
https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/liechtenstein/drachenloecher.htm