Tradition: Swiss Mythology
Alternative Names: The Bloody Shadow of the Last Wildenburger, The Devil’s Gold of Wildenburg
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Wildenburg Castle was once home to the Wildenburgers, whose plundering brought great treasures to their fortress. When the people of Zug finally destroyed the castle in anger, its riches were buried beneath the collapsing walls and beams. The gold remained hidden among the ruins, attracting treasure hunters who hoped to recover the lost wealth.
However, those who searched for the treasure faced a terrifying guardian. The bloody shadow of the last Wildenburger was said to haunt the rocky ruins, charging about while howling and throwing greedy treasure seekers down into the dark Lorzentobel ravine. The ghost’s violent attacks ensured that the riches taken by the Wildenburgers remained beyond the reach of those who sought them out of greed.
The devil was also believed to guard the buried gold. According to the legend, every Good Friday, while the Passion was being sung in the church at Baar, the devil spread his gold across the castle rock to bask in the sunlight. Anyone who arrived at the right moment could supposedly take as much gold as they wished. Yet the legend offered no guarantee that those who sought supernatural treasure would escape the dangers surrounding Wildenburg.
Sources
“Der Geist von Wildenburg.” SAGEN.at – Zuger Sagen. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schweiz/zug/geist_wildenburg.html