Folklore

Whispers from the Alps: Navigating Swiss Folk Tales

Folklore

A collection of Swiss Folklore stories I am translating and posting here. I am using computer tools to do the translation work, so everything might not be 100% accurate.

  1. An image of Türlersee-Lake taken by someone from shore. by Leandros at German Wikipedia

    The Chriemhild Trench

    The Chriemhild Trench is a Swiss legend about dark magic, envy, and a miraculous twist of fate by the Türlersee.

  2. A haunting snowy scene at Brunnegg Castle in Switzerland, during the harsh winter, a menacing ghostly figure of the bailiff riding on a black horse. A castle looms in the background, partially obscured by a fierce, swirling snowstorm. The landscape is eerily lit by a full moon, casting long sinister shadows. The bailiff should appear as a figure from Swiss folklore, wearing traditional, historical attire, and his face should be shrouded in mystery, a sense of foreboding and the supernatural, highlighting the legend's themes of a cursed hunt and a tragic tale. by Ted Tschopp

    The Bailiff of Brunnegg: A Swiss Legend

    An in-depth look at the legend of the Bailiff of Brunnegg, a tale of mystery and horror from the Swiss region of Aargau.

  3. The Schächental Valley by Ted Tschopp

    The Well in the Schächental Valley

    A Swiss folktale depicting the mysterious creation of an ever-flowing well in the Schächental valley.

  4. Sculpture in front of the Lange Erlen Zoo, a basilisk. by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    The Basilisk

    This Swiss folklore tale from 1474 revolves around the dangerous Basilisk, a creature born from a rooster's egg, feared for its deadly gaze.

  5. An illustration of a dog, with a long drooping tongue, red eyes, and a long tail, appearing on a bridge over a stream between two villages in Switzerland. by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    The Betten Dog

    A Swiss German folk tale about a mysterious dog that appears in Betten and accompanies nocturnal wanderers, especially wrongdoers, without causing harm.

  6. An illustration of a large, heavy man wearing a large hat, walking in a forest. by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    The Weatherman in Pörtlialp

    A Swiss German folk tale about a mysterious ghostly weatherman who appears in Pörtlialp that is believed to bring bad weather.

  7. The mysterious army leader and his warriors sleep at the tables. by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    The Army in Schrattenberg

    A shepherd discovers a hidden world filled with warriors, treasures, and magic in the mountains around Escholzmatt. A mysterious army awaits its time to rise.

  8. A mysterious cave in the Neuburgerhalde, obscured by shadows and mist. In the foreground, villagers peer upward, faces etched with curiosity and fear. The hole in the rock looms ominously, embodying the legend of the Little Shepherd who still haunts the area. by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    The Little Shepherd of Mellikon

    The legend of the Little Shepherd of Mellikon, a tale of theft, sudden death, and a haunting spirit. Discover the history, folklore, and mystery that surround this Aargau legend.

  9. A captivating battlefield scene from the Swiss Alps. Benedikt Fontana leads a group of resolute Swiss fighters, storming the bulwark with swords raised high, expressions fierce and determined. The backdrop portrays majestic mountains, clouded in the ominous smoke of the battlefield. The Swiss warriors' eyes gleam with determination and resolve as they fight for their freedom. Their armor glints in the fleeting sunlight, and their battle cries resonate with the passion for their land. The scene encapsulates the spirit, courage, and will of a people unyielding in their fight for independence. by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    From the Swabian War - Benedikt Fontana

    The legend of the Swabian War narrates the valor of Benedikt Fontana and the Swiss Confederates in the face of Austrian aggression. The story combines elements of heroism, divine justice, and the battle for freedom.

  10. Birdeye view of Stein am Rhein, Lake Constance between Germany and Switzerland with the Castle Hohenklingen in background. Copper engraving from Theatrum Helvetiae of Matthaeus Merian. by Matthäus Merian (*1593 - †1650)

    On the Mountain of Saint George

    On the Mountain of Saint George, discover a rich tapestry of legends weaving together Wodan, the god of winds, and St. George, the patron Saint of knights. Explore ancient cultural sites, immeasurable treasures, and hidden secrets within the mountain. Witness tales of fiery dragons, brave knights, restless spirits, and the intriguing connection between ancient gods, rituals, and natural treasures, in a region that bridges Germany, Switzerland, and the old Habsburg empire.

  11. Painting of Wodan coming down the a large river sitting on a water horse holding a battle sword in one hand and the globe in the other the river floods the bank and devastates a medieval city. In the style of antichrist, dark yellow and light red, jarosław jaśnikowski, monumental murals, god rays, gustave buchet, hercules seghers by Ted Tschopp and Midjourney

    Wodan's Revenge

    Wodan's Revenge narrates the tale of the once-worshipped pagan god Wodan, who sought vengeance against those who turned to Christianity. This rich folklore describes Wodan's wrath and the legends of nocturnal ghostly processions, unveiling the transformation of myth through time and beliefs, as noted by C. Kohlrusch.

  12. Close-up portrait of a pensive young woman at night, holding a leather-bound journal, stars reflected in her eyes, night-sky in background with bright constellations like gemstones, soft ambient city light and moonlight lighting the frame, mood of longing memory and quiet wonder, Photography, 85mm lens f/1.8 low-light handheld Canon EOS R5 cinematic tone by Ted Tschopp

    A Beginning

    Ted Tschopp shares the first chapter of a new fiction project, rooted in memory and myth. A woman sorting through her grandfather’s papers discovers echoes of ancient stories, written in his hand but drawn from deeper wells of human remembrance.