Lutzingen: Idyllic Village at the Edge of the Alb

The Name “Goldberg”

Today, the Goldberg is considered a popular destination for visitors from near and far. In earlier times, things were different, as most people avoided the area. For this reason, wealthy people from the surrounding area are said to have buried their chests and jugs of gold there during the Thirty Years’ War. They were afraid that the plundering hordes of soldiers would take their treasures. Since the war seemed to have no end, some of these rich people died over the years. Their treasures therefore remained lost in the mountain forever – for this reason, the hill in front of Lutzingen is now called “Goldberg” (Gold Mountain).

A Myth Surrounding the Goldberg

A Roman watchtower once stood on the Goldberg. As our ancestors believed, a castle rose there many years ago, which later sank into the depths of the mountain. At one time, the Goldberg gnome lived in this spot. Many a wanderer encountered the little wight in the forest. Often it came out of the thicket and frightened the people working in the fields. Everyone in the area knew that they must not answer the dwarf’s questions. Anyone who did so would die within a short time.

Once, a farmer hiked over the Goldbergalm to Lutzingen. In his curiosity, he would have loved to speak to the Goldberg gnome just once. But since he had no desire to “see the world from below” (die) anytime soon, he was determined to remain iron-silent to all the little man’s questions. And indeed, in the middle of the forest, the goblin appeared and began to question him. But the farmer remained controlled and silent, continuing calmly on his way. The Goldberg gnome became furious and flailed his fists about. Thereupon, the farmer ran away as fast as possible. For a long time, no one dared to set foot on the Goldberg again.