|| An Austrian folktale ||
Hans Puchsbaum was a mason in the Viennese Cathedral Construction Guild of Saint Stephen. He was a young, hardworking gentleman skilled in construction. He was in love with Maria, the beautiful daughter of Master Builder Brachawitz, who since the year 1430 had been directing the construction of the south tower of the cathedral.
The proud builder had selected the son of a wealthy merchant to marry his daughter and was totally against her affection for Hans Puchsbaum.
He challenged the young man, “If you can finish the north tower at the same hour that I complete the south tower, then you may take Maria as your wife”
This condition was practically impossible. No one would be able to complete such a construction project in so short a time. The hopes and dreams of poor Puchsbaum disappeared. In despair he stood there and murmured to himself: “Only the devil could complete such a masterpiece. I shall leave this city, and Maria will belong to another man.”
He had barely spoken these words when the Evil One appeared before him as a shadow.
He said, “I will help you build the tower, but during the entire construction time you may not utter the name of God nor that of any of any of His saints, otherwise your soul will belong to me,” was the offer made to him by the Spirit of Hell.
Hans sat thinking for a long time. Plagued with a bad conscience, Hans asked himself if he should build a house of God with the help of Satan. But his love of Maria conquered all doubts, and he entered into the pact with the devil. He resolved to work carefully with the crafty devil.
So the construction continued. The townspeople of Vienna watched in amazement as the north tower scaffolding grew upward and the construction advanced rapidly. Puchsbaum himself was the most industrious of all the workers.
Day and night he mixed mortar and set stones into place. Although the devil would be giving a hand, he still wanted to be as honest with his work as possible.
The tower, growing ever higher, was decorated by the most glorious stone figures. It was going to look so grand and beautiful. Puchsbaum was really careful about the conditions set by the devil, and it appeared less and less likely that the builder would have to surrender his soul.
The Evil One did not like to lose, he resorted to trick the man.
Assuming Maria’s shape, he walked across Saint Stephen’s Square with his head bowed. Hans Puchsbaum, who was standing high above on the scaffolding, recognized Maria. Forgetting his oath, he called out her name. (Maria, being a saint’s name broke the condition)
Hans Puchsbaum disappeared, no one had seen him since.
The heavy beam of the north tower broke apart and the tower remained unfinished. Believing it was a sign or rather a curse, no one dared continue with the work.
The north tower of the St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Austria remains incomplete to this day.
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