Das verfluchte Jungfernloch, Cave system near Eisenach, Germany.
Das verfluchte Jungfernloch is a cave opening on the eastern slope of a hill roughly 500 meters south of Wartburg Castle in the Kälbergrund Valley. The entrance is plainly visible and leads into a hollow space system within the hillside formation.
The first documented accounts of the cave appeared in a collection of folk tales published in Eisenach in 1795. Writer Ludwig Bechstein later included the story in his major compilation of legends, helping cement the tale within German cultural memory.
The cave's name stems from an old legend rooted in local storytelling about a young woman whose fate captured the imagination of the region. The site remains a destination for those interested in folk traditions and regional narratives passed down through generations.
The cave is reachable from Eisenach via marked hiking trails, with Wartburg Castle serving as an orientation point. Wear sturdy footwear and check conditions beforehand, as weather can affect trail accessibility throughout the year.
Regional folklore claims that every seven years the spirit of a young woman appears at the entrance, combing her golden hair and shedding tears. This recurring legend has made the cave well-known among those drawn to supernatural tales and local myths.
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