Happy Swiss National Day, dear compatriots! Today, as we celebrate the confederation's birth and the robust unity that makes us one, I thought it fitting to delve into a story that's ingrained in the very heart of our beautiful Swiss Alps - the legendary tale of the Teufelsbrücke, or Devil's Bridge. I got the idea for this post a few weeks back when we travelled back from Italy with some friends who did not grow up in Switzerland and I was able to share this tale with them. I am sure that most of my Swiss readers are already familiar with the tale of the Teufelsbrücke. For you guys, this can be a fun refresher. Or you can skip this one and go back to enjoying your fireworks.
Tucked within the picturesque panorama of the Schöllenen Gorge, where the cantons of Uri and Graubünden meet, the Devil's Bridge has held a magnetic allure over the centuries. Its story, often whispered amidst our mountains, tells of a time when humans sought the devil's help and paid a price, yet managed to outwit the cunning adversary at his own game.
As the tale goes, the people of Uri, battling the unpredictable mountain weather and treacherous terrain, were clamouring for a stone bridge to replace their old wooden structure. Their plea for aid was met by a stranger – the devil in disguise – who promised to build the bridge, but in return, he demanded a soul – the first to cross the new bridge would be his.
Now, the Uri folks were cunning. They agreed to the devil's terms, but when the time came to pay their due, they outsmarted the enemy with some scheming of their own. Instead of a human, as the devil had expected, they sent a goat across the newly constructed bridge.
This clever act of defiance stoked the devil's rage. He sought revenge and hauled a gargantuan rock to smash the bridge he'd just built. However, as he flung the stone, his aim faltered, and the rock landed near Göschenen, instead. Today, the Teufelsstein still stands there, a testament to the devil's wrath and the ingenious triumph of the Uri people.
And that’s already it for today. Look forward to more posts about myths and legends from all over the world in the coming days. The next one will be about the mythical creatures of Welsh folklore.
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