Folktales and legends in Switzerland

Actually, there a plenty of folk tales from across Switzerland. I wil share one with you.

Villagers wanted to build a bridge over a narrow ravine. They tried many times but every time the bridge collapsed before it was finished. So they sent messengers out in all directions inviting master bridgebuilders and stonemasons, the very best of their professions, to come and build the bridge. The best of the best builders came from all across the world and they looked at and inspected the ravine. Some said it was impossible to build the bridge. Others tried but they too failed. Finally the devil himself came. The devil said he knew how to build a bridge, but there would be a price. He wanted to claim the soul of the first person to cross the bridge.

The villagers were hesitant about the offer but they dearly needed the bridge. They debated for a long time. So reluctantly, they agreed to his deal. The devil built a beatiful bridge that formed an elegant arch and crossed the ravine. The villagers were very happy when they saw it. Then they remembered the agreement they were unsure what to do. But they were crafty people and they had a plan. They chased a goat across the bridge, and so the devil got to take the goat's sould rather a human one. The devil was furious when he saw that he had been cheated and he hurled a huge rock from the top of the mountain.

That rock is still there today and you can see it from the train when you pass Göschenen. The bridge is also still there, a little further up the valley towards Andermatt.