Tradition: Swiss Mythology
Alternative Names: –
Category: Dwarf
The Myth
High on Gonzen, among the ancient ore-bearing rocks, lived a hidden people of dwarfs. They made their homes in deep holes within the mountain, where a cool wind rose from the underground passages. Their houses were said to be fashioned from iron and steel, with golden roofs and silver windows, making their underground dwelling as rich as the mountain itself.
During the warm months, the little men were busy working among the ore-bearing rocks. When winter came, however, their work stopped. They withdrew to their homes, gathered around a great hearth fire, and spent the cold season resting and enjoying themselves.
The dwarfs were especially fond of music. The sounds of violins and pipes were often heard coming from their hidden dwellings, accompanied by the dancing of the little people. Their music was so beautiful and clear that people above the mountain could sometimes hear the melodies as though they were floating down from the heavens.
Even the marmots living along the steep slopes were disturbed by the dwarfs’ winter celebrations. While the animals were trying to sleep through the winter in their underground shelters, the music of the hidden people could reach them beneath the mountain and interrupt their peaceful hibernation.
Sources
“Die Zwerge vom Gonzen.” SAGEN.at – Traditionelle Sagen aus der Schweiz (Kanton St. Gallen). Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schweiz/st_gallen/zwerge_gonzen.html