Tradition: Swiss Mythology
Alternative Names: The Golden Skittles of Ruchenberg
Category: Ghost
The Myth
The Golden Bowling Game is a supernatural legend associated with the ruined Castle Ruchenberg in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. The castle is said to have been haunted since ancient times. On certain nights, its ruins glow with a brilliant red light, while strange flashes illuminate the surrounding trees and bushes. Ghostly figures move among the crumbling walls, accompanied by the clanging and crashing of iron. At the center of this eerie spectacle, three knights in clanking iron armor play a mysterious game of skittles with a set of nine golden pins and golden bowling balls.
One night, a farmer passing the ruins hears the strange noises and notices the red glow. Curiosity overcomes his unease, and he approaches the castle to investigate. From the shelter of a large tree, he watches the three knights repeatedly attempt to knock down all nine golden pins. Although they throw their golden balls with great force, they never manage to topple every pin. The farmer, who prides himself on his own bowling skill, becomes increasingly frustrated by their inability to complete the game. When the knights eventually grow tired and lie down as though asleep, he decides to demonstrate that he can do better. He also hopes to steal one of their precious golden balls.
The farmer quietly takes a ball, carefully aims, and launches it down the bowling lane. With a tremendous crash, all nine golden pins tumble over. Delighted, he cries out, “All nine!” A ghostly echo repeats his words from the castle. Immediately, the knights shout, and a tremendous commotion erupts around the ruins. Thunder crashes, and the knights, golden balls, and skittles sink into the earth. The brilliant light disappears, leaving the farmer alone in the dark woods. Once his fear subsides, he hurries away, but for the rest of his life he regrets having spoken aloud. He believes that, had he kept silent, he might have freed the knights from their supernatural imprisonment and claimed the magnificent golden bowling set.
Sources
“Das goldene Kegelspiel.” SAGEN.at – Schweizer Sagen. Reproduced by SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schweiz/allgemein/goldene_kegelspiel.html