Germany is famous for its picturesque landscape, dense forests, and magical looking castles.
However, in the deep dark woods lies sinister and mysterious stories told around campfires
of werewolves, fairies, and goblins.
So today on Top 5 Scary Videos, I'm going to be counting down our list of the Top 5
Scary German Urban Legends.
Before we begin, be sure to stick around until the end of the video where I'll be responding
to some of your comments, and with that lets jump in.
5 Princess Brunhilde at Rosstrappe This legend goes that years ago there ruled
a king in Bohemia, whose castle was atop a loft mountain, where thunder and eagle found
a home.
Now, this King had a daughter, Princess Brunhilde, whose beauty was famous far and wide.
Rulers and their sons sought the hand of the maiden, and among the suitors came the song
of the King of Harz, who won her heart/ He returned to his father to announce his betrothal,
and to make arrangements for the nuptials, however, someone had other plans.
A new suitor arrived for Brunhilda's hand, a terrible giant who inhabited North Europe,
terrifying all those who saw him.
He brought with him costly gifts of gold, amber and precious stones, and after a few
days of consideration, the King promised the giant his daughter.
Now, the Giant had two steeds, one white as snow, and the other black as night, both giant
with the earth trembling beneath them.
So, one day, Brunhilda beg to ride with the Giant, she mounted the white steed and raced
to be with her true love Harz.
The black speed in quick pursuit behind her.
At the very top of the treacherous Rosstrappe, Brunhilde reached the cliff edge, however,
her brave white stallion had other ideas and jumped across the mountain and reached the
other side.
The Giant however did not and ultimately plunged to his death.
Atop the Rosstrappe hill in the Harz Mountain Range you will find the hoof shapes imprinted
into the rock on the edge off the cliff, marking the path the great white steed talking when
freeing the trapped Princess.
4 The Watzmann Mountain The Watzmann ia mountain in the Bavarian Alps
and is the third highest in Germany, and the highest mountain located entirely on German
territory.
Now, for a mountain so famous throughout the country, you can imagine there would be a
handful of legends associated with it.
And, that there are.
One legend goes that in the deepest corners of Southern Bavaria, a tyrannical King named
Watzmann reigned the land, and enjoyed slavery and hunting local peasants.
On one particular day, after a series of bloody killings, a curse was cast upon him and his
family, which resulted in them all turning to stone.
Now, it is said that they are still entombed within the range of seven mountains, near
the town of Berchtesgaden.
Would you climb this peak to discover if the legend is true?
If so, I'll be right there with you.
3 The Changeling A changeling is a creature found in folklore
throughout Europe, specifically Germany, and is believed to be a fairy child that had been
left in place of a human child stolen by the fairies.
It's a common theme stemming all the way back to medieval literature and reflects concern
over infants thought to be afflicted with diseases or disorders.
So, this specific legend goes that once upon a time, at Hessloch near Odernheim, a servant
and a cook of a clergyman were married and living together, however, their newborn baby
would not grow or gain weight.
The mother was told to visit Neuhausen and give her baby water from the Cyriak Spring,
with many believing that a visit to the spring would either restore a child back to health,
or would kill it within nine days.
En route to the spring, the child became heavy and monstrous, which resulted in a passing
traveller yelling to the wife that she had the devil on her back.
I quote, "Your child is at home in a new cradle behind the chest in the side room.
Throw this monster into the brook!"
The mother cried but did as she was told, she threw the creature into the brook, and
a great howl bellowed from beneath the bridge.
She fled home, where she found her baby healthy and laughing in its brand new cradle.
2 The Childrens Crusade According to history, The Children's Crusade
was a failed crusade by European Christians to regain the Holy Land from the Muslims,
said to have taken place in 1212.
Now, the story has become blurred over the years from factual to more mythical, with
some versions including the visions by a French boy and a German boy, an intention to peacefully
convert Muslims in the Holy Land to Christianity, with bands of children marching to Italy,
and some being sold into slavery.
Yeah, it's rough.
In this specific German legend though, the story tells of a misguided German boy who
was visited by Jesus, who told *him* to go forth and convert Muslims.
So, following the orders of Christ, he gathered a sizeable group, mostly children, and led
them towards the Mediterranean where they took boats east.
Now, during their journey, one boat crashed, killing everyone onboard.
The others, however, arrived in Tunisia, where the children were sold into salvery and in
turn none of them made it to their destination.
1 The Werewolf of Morbach This legend goes that the Rhineland town of
Wittlich is the last place in Germany where a werewolf had been killed.Thomas Johannes
Baptist Schwyzter -- what a name -- was a supposed deserter from Napoleon's army and
fled to his homeland in Alsace, France.
While passing through Wittlich, him and his hungry soldiers who fled with him, located
a farmhouse which they pillaged.
However, in the process they were discovered by a farmer who they promptly killed along
with his sons.
The farmer's wife witnessed the deed and cursed Thomas, screaming, "From now on at each full
moon you will change into a rabid wolf!".
So, what did Thomas do?
He crushed her skull, of course.
Anyway, as time went on the curse began to take effects and Thomas' personality changes.
He begins to rob, rape, and pilidge, until he eventually flees to the sanctuary of the
deep forests, where he takes on his wolf form.
He begins to slaughter livestock and animals in his new form before a group of villagers
discover him, before killing him near the village of Morbach.
The villagers buried the wolf, and lit a candle that would burn continually.
As long as the candle is lit, the werewolf could never return.
Well, there we have it!
Do you guys agree with our list?
Did any of these legends spook you?
Leave us all your thoughts and feelings in the comments down below as well as what country
you would like us to tackle next.
Before I go though I just want to respond to a few comments from one of our last videos,
Top 5 Scary Australian Urban Legends.
Salud 74 said "You pronounce Schneider perfect.
Do you speak German?
Also, the burning Airman would be a great name for a progressive rock band."
-- I used to speak German, but I have retained absolutely nothing over the years.
Sad times.
But thank you, I appreciate the compliment.
Stephanie Raebel said "Top 5 Switzerland would be awesome.
Also Amsterdam."
-- Duly noted, Stephanie.
I will try and make it happen.
Caleb Lippman said "Lucy, your videos are awesome, entertaining and I've seen so many
movies I never would've known to look for if not for your help.
I truly hope that this mess with the YouTube administration gets worked out in your favor."
-- Thank you so much, Caleb!
It has been a stressful time for all of us over here at Top 5, but we're remaining optimistic,
and the support you have shown us has been incredible.
So thank you.
I'm glad I can share my passions with you and my love for all things horror.
And on that note, if you haven't already, be sure to give this video a big thumbs up,
subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss another scary vid.
And until next time, see ya later.