In the Bachschmiede

“This is the source of all Untersberg legends”

This little book was printed in Brixen in 1782, away from the centers of the Enlightenment.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

The Walser Bachschmiede is overjoyed. According to a "Krone" report, it received a valuable treasure from 1782. The historical book of legends arrived after the handover of an equally very old book. Both will be presented at an exhibition in the new year.

It is small and only has 40 pages, but is invaluable to the Bachschmiede team. The cultural center in Wals-Siezenheim received a collection of legends that was printed 244 years ago. Bachschmiede Managing Director Bernhard Robotka speaks of an "indescribably valuable treasure".

Bernhard Robotka, head of the Bachschmiede, received the "Legends of the Past" on loan.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

What makes him so euphoric? "This work, printed in Brixen in 1782, is the source of all Untersberg legends. Because this book was printed, the Brothers Grimm included the legend in their collection of German legends. As a result, it became known nationwide and became a national tale," describes the managing director.

The booklet "Sagen der Vorzeit oder ausführliche Beschreibung von dem berühmten Salzburgischen Untersberg oder Wunderberg" tells the "Lazarus story", the starting point of the legend. Robotka describes: "Lazarus Gitschner from Bergheim was an assistant to the town clerk of today's Bad Reichenhall in 1529. He disappeared into the mountain for a week. Around 30 years later, he was only allowed to tell what he had experienced there."

"Aus Salzburgs Sagenschatz" arrived at the Bachschmiede in September. Now an even more valuable copy of the book has landed there.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

Military history museum handed over the "treasure" 
Lazarus Gitschner has seen a lot: from Emperor Karl to the Battle of Walserfeld and the pear tree there, which will only turn green again on Judgement Day. And so the little book came to the Bachschmiede: Following a recent "Krone" report about a legend book in the Bachschmiede that is around 100 years old, the Wehrgeschichtliches Museum at the Schwarzenberg barracks got in touch: They have a much older booklet.

 "We have received it on loan. We may even be allowed to add it to our collection," says the cultural center and museum. A well-known sociologist and Untersberg expert also got in touch. He will give a lecture on the subject of Wunderberg in March. Both historical books will then be presented in an exhibition from January/February 2025.