LuxembourgPool

Night Washerwomen of Reisdorf and Betzdorf

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Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: Midnight Washerwoman; Washer Spirit of the Syr
Category: Ghost

The Myth

At Lêbur in Reisdorf, people say that at midnight loud bellows can sometimes be heard, though no one is seen.

In the Betzter meadows near Betzdorf, on the banks of the Syr River, it is told that a girl once appeared every night to wash clothes in the darkness. She labored alone beside the water, returning again and again after nightfall.

Thus the places were remembered as sites where unseen washer spirits worked in the night.

Gallery

Sources

sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Nächtliche Wäscherinnen zu Reisdorf und Betzdorf. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Naechtliche_Waescherinnen.html

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The White Cat of Budersberg

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Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: Budersberg White Cat
Category: Cat, Swamp dweller

The Myth

In the meadowlands below the village of Budersberg, a snow-white cat is said to appear on certain nights.

It is sometimes seen where the stream called the Gessel flows into the Brüllchen, but most often it shows itself in the middle of the marsh known as the Fäschtemsmoore. There it moves silently through the darkness and then vanishes again, leaving no trace behind.

Thus the people spoke of the white cat that haunted the meadows and marshes below Budersberg.

Gallery

Sources

sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Die weiße Katze bei Budersberg. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Katze_Budersberg.html

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The Headless Man of Bralhof

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Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: The Headless Burgher, Bralhof Ghost
Category: Ghost

The Myth

Near the Bralhof farm between Merl and Rollingergrund, in the area where an old windmill once stood, a headless man was said to appear.

A brave man named Johann Br., who came from a nearby village, once encountered the figure there. Wherever he tried to move, the headless man blocked his path. The same thing later happened to the narrator’s brother when he returned home from town one evening. He reached his house breathless and in terror, struggling to open the door quickly enough to escape the apparition.

People said that the ghost was the spirit of a burgher who had once lived there and whose memory remained infamous in the area.

Gallery

Sources

sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Der Mann ohne Kopf bei Straßen. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Mann_ohne_Kopf.html

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The Great Water Spirit of Echternach

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Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: Echternach Water Giant
Category: River dweller

The Myth

Near Echternach there was said to dwell an immense water spirit.

During the day he remained in the Spelzbusche, hidden from sight. At nightfall he descended to the Sauer River and plunged into the water.

He was described as a gigantic figure clad in long, flowing white robes. Fishermen feared him greatly, for when he hurled himself into the river, the force of his fall shattered boats nearby and broke them to pieces.

Thus the great spirit of the river was believed to move between forest and water, unseen by day and feared at night.

Gallery

Sources

sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Der große Wassergeist bei Echternach. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Wassergeist_Echternach.html

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Gnome of Dondelange

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Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: Dondelange Gnomes, Fäsch Gnomes, Family of Frau Holle
Category: Gnome, Cave dweller

The Myth

In a place called Fäsch near Dondelange, there stands a high rock that contains a large cave. This cave was said to have once been the dwelling of a family of gnomes, whose mother was known as Frau Holle.

One day, a farmer named Michel Wagner was plowing a field not far from the rock. Around ten o’clock he stopped to rest and smoke his pipe. As he sat there, he heard voices coming from within the rock, calling out: “Bake me a Pflamb! Me too, a Pflamb! Me too, a Pflamb!”

Amused, the farmer called back jokingly, “Me too, a Pflamb!”

When he returned to his work and later in the afternoon prepared to leave, he found that a fine cake was hanging from his plow. It was said to be so delicious that even the best confectioner of the time could not have baked a better one.

Gallery

Sources

sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Die Wichtelcher zu Dondelingen. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Wichtlein_Dondelingen.html

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Other
  • How to Invite The Gnome of Dondelange