Salurn Haderburg
Salurn Haderburg

Legend: The Old Wine Cellar near Salorno

In the book “Deutsche Sagen” (German Legends) by the Brothers Grimm, a legend tells about the old wine cellar of Salorno Castle

Volume 1 contains saga no. 15, the setting of which is the mighty Salorno Castle above Salorno: In the 17th century, a man named Christoph Patzeber passed by the ruins of the castle in the south of South Tyrol. He made a short detour to them, and found an old cellar with 18 barrels full of the best wine. He feasted on it and was about to leave again when he noticed three old men at a table.

In front of them there was a chalkboard. They allowed the visitor to come back and drink of the delicious wine, what he did for a whole year. Finally, three neighbours who had also tasted the wine sued him. Christoph Patzeber told the miraculous story in court and was acquitted. When he wanted to go back to the wine cellar afterwards, it had disappeared. An invisible hand struck him half dead, and in his pain he could still make out the three old men drawing a cross on their blackboard with chalk. Using the last of his strength, Christoph Patzeber dragged himself back to the town, but died after 10 days from his severe and mysterious injuries.

The old wine cellar near Salorno remained disappeared, but still today the castle tavern on Salorno Castle is called "zum 18.ten Fass" (to the 18th barrel).

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