Rübezahl Road

I will never get tired of traveling through these mountains. Just look. See how the dark and dreary forest suddenly breaks to reveal a valley covered in rolling fields filled with plentiful harvests waiting to be reaped. And over there, just peeking out from a row of fruit trees, you can see the thatched roofs of a village nestled between the slopes of those two mountains. You see, I’ve been across this continent time and again, trading cloth for spices or spices for fur or whatever else I can barter. I have seen every splendid sight that Europe has to offer. I have trekked across the Alps as Hannibal, sailed around the Aegean as Odysseus, and triumphed down the Via Sacra in Rome as if I were Caesar himself. But none of these places delight me more than this windy and narrow road which cuts through these Riesengebirge mountains and the Silesian countryside, serving as the main route between Breslau and Prague. But it isn’t the mere beauty of the place that inspirits me. Legend has it that a spirit known as the Lord of the Mountains often frequents this area.

As the story goes, the Lord of the Mountains imprisoned a princess in his mountain fortress. He had taken her from her father because she didn’t consent to marrying him. After spending a long time in her tower, the clever princess finally told the Mountain Lord that she would marry him after all, but only if the number of wedding guests was exactly the same as the number of turnips in his field. Then, while his thoughts were occupied by the tedious counting of the turnips in his field, she slipped away to the stables, stole a horse, and used it to escape back to her father. From that day onward, the people of Silesia jeeringly called the simple-hearted Lord by the name Rübezahl, which means “turnip counter.” Vexed by his new nickname, the Mountain Lord became increasingly fickle and unpredictable, especially towards those who mocked him, and it is said that he will appear to those traveling along the road in order to play pranks on unsuspecting victims.

Because of his magical abilities, ole Rübezahl hides his true identity by taking the form of common folk. For this reason, I tell you that one should always remain wary of those one might meet along this road. Furthermore, whether you find credence in such folk tales or not, the mountains, themselves, will assay any traveler's tact. Luckily for you, I am here to accompany you on our journey through beautiful Silesia.