Tradition: Liechtenstein Mythology
Alternative Names: The Guflina Giant
Category: Giant
The Myth
The Giant of Guflina was a gigantic man who lived at Guflina, on the Silum hill near Triesenberg in Liechtenstein, where the land rises toward the Samina Valley. He possessed extraordinary strength and tested it by uprooting fir trees with ease, stripping their branches away with the palm of his hand. His home lay near a rugged cliff containing a deep cave, where a fearsome dragon dwelled.
The dragon was an enormous winged beast with horns and eyes that burned like torches. It terrorized the local miners and mountain dwellers, particularly in spring and autumn, when they drove their cattle to the alpine pastures of Silum and Bargella. At night, the dragon attacked the herds, causing great losses and leaving the people in fear and distress.
Unable to endure the monster’s depredations any longer, the Giant of Guflina challenged it to battle outside its cave. The dragon lunged at him, roaring and snorting with fury, and attempted to dig its powerful claws into his shoulders and strangle him. The giant resisted the assault, suddenly seized the dragon by the neck, and crushed it against the rocky cliff with both hands. The force of his grip broke the creature’s bones, and its dying howl echoed through the mountains.
The miners rushed to the scene and discovered the dragon lying dead on the ground. The mountain folk celebrated their deliverance, for they could once again lead their cattle safely to the alpine pastures. Through his extraordinary strength and courage, the Giant of Guflina had freed the inhabitants of the surrounding valleys from the threat of the dragon.
Sources
“Guflina.” SAGEN.at – Liechtensteiner Sagen. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/liechtenstein/seger/guflina.html