Legend of Charlemagne - Founder of Andorra

 Andorra is one of the smallest nations in Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees Mountains, between Spain and France. The capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 meters (3,356 ft). A legend has it that Charlemagne founded Andorra.

In a year of 711, a storming force from North Africa crossed the Mediterranean sea landing in Europe. The Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula began. However, the people of the Iberian Peninsula went around about their daily activities not thinking much about the approaching vessels as they were similar to trading vessels. The ones they did business with on a regular basis. After realizing what was happening, they fled to the hills in hope that it was just a temporary attack. But as it turned out the Moors had more in mind than just a temporary attack. The army conquered one town after another moving towards the north.

Charles the Great, the ruler of the Frankish Kingdom, today’s France, was not going to give his lands so easily. He put a strong fight against the Moors with the help from the inhabitants living in the Pyrenees Mountains. In return Charles founded Andorra for the inhabitants of those lands.

The Moorish invasion lasted for over seven centuries until 1492, which collided with the year when Christopher Columbus discovered America.

Luxembourg's Legend of a Mysterious Maiden Melusine

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe. It is dominated by hills and low mountains with many rivers. One of them, Alzette River, holds a legend of a mysterious maiden Melusine.

Mélusine is said to have been the wife of the founder of Luxembourg, Count Siegfried. When they married, she requested Siegfried to leave her alone for one full day and night every month, and that he should not ask or try to find out what she was doing. Siegfried accepted this wish, and all went well for years. On the first Wednesday of the month, Mélusine would retire into her chambers in the "casemates", a network of caverns underneath the city, not to be seen again until early light on Thursday.
But one day, Siegfried's curiosity got the better of him. Wondering what his wife might be doing alone all the time, he peeped through the keyhole, and was shocked to see that Mélusine was lying in the bathtub, with a fishtail hanging over the rim. Realizing that her husband had come to know the truth about her, she jumped out of the window into the river Alzette below, never to be seen again. Every now and then, people claim to have seen a beautiful girl's head pop out of the river, and a fishtail rippling the calm waters of the river Alzette.

Source: http://luxembourgish.blogspot.com/2006/11/mysterious-maiden-mlusine.html

 

Liechtenstein's Legend of Three Sisters

Liechtenstein is a tiny country, sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, and the only country to lie entirely in the Alps. Much of its terrain is mountainous with many rocks. And among those rocks, there are three huge rocks, which hold a legend.

On the Feast of the Assumption (15 August), three sisters went up to Gafadura above the village of Planken to pick berries. As they walked along the path they heard the sounds of the church bells announcing the holy feast and calling worshippers to church. One of the sisters suggested they should also go to church, but the other two replied that the baskets had to be full of berries before they returned to the village.

Towards the end of the afternoon the baskets were full and the three sisters headed back home. On their way they met a beautiful woman who asked them for some berries. The sisters were reluctant to give her any and replied that people who want berries should pick them themselves. All of a sudden, a halo appeared around the head of the woman and she spoke to them, "You have dishonored my holy day and refused my request. Your hearts are of stone. Therefore, as punishment, you shall be turned to stone and remain here forever." Upon saying that, the sisters were transformed into huge rocks, which from that day on became known as the Three Sisters.

 

Source: http://www.tourismus.li/en/culture-cuisine/Liechtenstein-legends-fables/Lichtenstein-fables/fable-1.html

The Giant Named Menesk - Legend of Minsk, Belarus

In the country of Belarus and its rolling hills on a slope stands its capital of Minsk. The Svislach River meanders across the city. Its calm water brushes the banks of the waterway. Sometimes the wind rushes the water, which whispers remind the locals of a giant, who once lived on the banks of the river and it is said that he was the founder of the city.

A very long time ago, in the area of rolling hills and meandering rivers lived a man named Menesk. He was a very big and strong man. He was so strong and so big that some people thought he was a giant. He lived in a mill by the river. It was said that he grinded stones and rocks instead of rye to make flour for bread. He felt that he was misunderstood by people. So he traveled in search of a new place many times until he found this place.

Menesk settled at the banks of Svislach River among pine and spruce trees, which created a perfect quiet place he longed for. He loved sitting by the river, watching the ducks pass him by, feeling the breeze brush his face and listening to the chirping birds above his head. He could sit by the river for hours, appreciating his peaceful place.

The nights were even more serene. The sound of the leaves swaying on the trees and the water flowing in the river lulled him quickly into sleep every evening.  However, it didn’t take long till his peaceful nights were disturbed by bashes. Loud voices, singing and laughing coming from the river would break his soundless sleep one night, then another. On the third night he grinded his teeth and said to himself, “I’ll give you a piece of myself at the break of the dawn.”

With the first sun rays on the horizon, Menesk wandered to the nearby villages looking for those who dared to wake him up at night. He knocked on many doors and windows until they vibrated with rusty noise. He hollered at anybody who appeared from around the corner, scaring the innocent souls. Those unlucky ones, who stumbled upon him, ran in the opposite direction as soon as they saw his huge hunched body covered in tattered clothes, unruly hair and crooked nose. He went from village to village, but nobody would come forward to face a giant.

Those, who were scared to face the giant during the day, were not so afraid to continue their bashes on the river during the night. After more unslept nights, Menesk thought to himself, “Maybe I need to try a different tactic. Maybe I should invite them in instead of trying to scare them away.” So one night, he lit the place with many candles, made lots of sweet bread and waited by the river hidden in the bushes.

When the party on the river approached Menesk’s house, they were surprised to see the place so bright. As the river currents slowly moved them closer and closer to his house, there was no turning back. “Welcome, welcome,” said Menesk coming out of the bushes, when they neared him. The boys and girls drifting on the river, by the tone of Menesk’s voice were not sure if he was trying to be nice or mean. Their lips went from arching up to now arching down making their faces looked like they were very scared. The giant sensing the problem added, “Why don’t you stop by and we could continue the celebrities together. The sweet bread is already awaiting you.” The companions hesitated a bit, there was still time to think before they passed the giant and before it was too late to stop by his house as the river doesn’t stop for anybody to make a decision, but when the smell of freshly baked bread reached their noses, it convinced them to stop. Still with some hesitation, they stepped out of the boat following Menesk to the house.

The music, singing and laughter echoed in the woods and it didn’t stop until the mugs and plates were empty. And only then everybody decided it was time to go home and thank the host for such memorable night.

In the morning, only the crumbs reminded Menesk of the last night party. All bread was gone. The giant never enjoyed such company before. As much as he appreciated his quiet place during the day, now he also relished his company at night. More nights followed in the company of his new friends.

Months passed and seasons changed. During that time Menesk and his new companions became close friends. He always fed them well with the bread he made himself. And they always provided good entertainment, complementing each other.

One spring, when the first leaves appeared on the trees after a long, cold winter, the giant invited his friends to settle near his house. The invitation was accepted and as soon as the last frost was gone, the first houses started appearing near the giant’s house. The moment the houses were finished, one of the companions spoke out, “Menesk, now that we are settled here, it just occurred to me that we never asked you how you named your place?”

Menesk’s eyes bulged out. A big guy seemed to be shrinking in size now, with blushing cheeks and shy smile his lips were tight as not wanting to escape a word. “I never thought about it,” the giant admitted reluctantly after what seemed like a long awkward moment.

“No worries,” Rushed another friend to the rescue suggesting, “How about naming the settlement after our good friend, who invited us here?”

“Yeah!” Cheered the rest.

“How about naming the settlement Minsk?” Continued the friend.

“Yeah!” Another cheer. So it was decided right there and then that their new place would be called Minsk.

With time the new settlement composed of the circle of friends became known as a safe one, attracting new people. With more time, it grew into a village, then into a small town and now into a big city.

Ljubljana's Legend of Mythological Hero Jason

In Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, a special bridge crosses the Ljubljanica River. The bridge is quite special due to its architectural achievement. When it was built, there were not too many bridges built in concrete. The bridge was decorated with balustrades and four metal dragon statues; two on each side, facing those who dare to enter the bridge. Each dragon stands gloriously with the wings spread out and the muzzle opened, almost making a statement as, “Do not dare to cross the bridge.” But is it so? The legend may give you a hint.

A very long time ago, in the ancient times, there was a hero named Jason. He grew up in the mountains densely covered with trees. His home was a cave that gave shelter to him and his guardian. Jason was taught how to pick the fruits of the forest and how to be quick on his feet and with his bow and arrow, quicker than any animal.

When the youth grew to be strong, swift and brave, his guardian recognized it was time for him to come out of the mountains and enter the world he was taken away from in order to be protected from his evil uncle. As the morning fog settled down and Jason appeared between two trees with his hands full of blackberries, his guardian patted a big stone next to him, thus inviting Jason to sit down. Then he spoke, “There is something I must tell you.” And he told him the story of his father and uncle, adding, “Now you’re a strong man and you know how to protect yourself. It is time for you to go back to your father’s land and face your uncle. You’re destined for greatness and may you achieve it.” As the guardian spoke the last words, shortly after he disappeared.

Upon arriving at the lands of his father, Jason was quickly recognized by his uncle and invited to the palace. The malicious uncle did not invite his nephew in good will. He was concerned how to protect his throne and was planning on something that would keep Jason far away from his place. Jason was aware of his uncle’s cruelty. However, he did not know how tricky he could be.

The richness of the palace had Jason’s full attention. He had never seen walls decorated with pictures, vases filled with colorful flowers or tables fully covered with glittering vessels overflowing with fruits and savory food. He was served wine for the first time, which he drank a bit too much making his head dizzy.

As the night went on and everybody enjoyed good food and company, the evil uncle raised a glass to Jason, “I salute your bravery and strong body. I wished that I had the mind and body as strong as yours, when I was your age. I could have brought home the famous Golden Fleece; the fleece of the gold-hair, which symbolizes authority and kingship.”

The room echoed with, “The Golden Fleece,” as all shouted it out.

Jason with his shaky legs after too much wine had risen and roared, “The Golden Fleece,” and after keeping his balance he added, “I will win it for the city.” And these were the words that his evil uncle wanted to hear as he knew that winning the Golden Fleece was almost impossible. It was well hidden and well protected. And it was too late for Jason to take his word back as he looked at his father’s grave face; he understood that he was tricked by his uncle. To help himself out, he directed his uncle, “I know that I can achieve this task, if you can build me a strong ship and call for all the heroes of the land.” In front of all the gathered, he received his uncle’s promise.

The strongest wood was gathered to build the ship and the strongest men hailed from all the corners of the land. The men, who knew how to handle a ship, a bow, a sword, even a lyre to bring some music; and the men, who had the knowledge of the sun, winds and stars to steer the ship safely. Once the ship was finished, it was named Argo and the heroes, who stepped on its board called themselves the Argonauts.

In the morning, when the first breeze made the waves, they lifted sails and the ship moved into the unknown. It sailed for many days, escaping stormy beaches and getting through rocky passages. It sailed until a view of peaks above the trees appeared shining in the sun. As the ship approached the shore, the Argonauts knew it was the place they were looking for.

It was a land ruled by a king whose daughter was charmed by the first site of Jason. Her name was Medea. She showed them the way to the Golden Fleece and with her powers helped the Argonauts to gain the fleece and transport it to their ship.

On their way back the sails took them through many rivers. One of them, the Ljubljanica River, led them to a lake. It was so wide. It seemed like an open sea. While approaching it, a shadow appeared blanketing their ship and looking up they saw a monstrous bird flying. But it wasn’t a bird. It was a dragon. A ferocious fight broke between the dragon and Jason. With his last strength Jason slayed the dragon.

To commemorate his victorious battle with the dragon, a city was built up the river. As the city grew, its borders shifted outwards beyond the city’s river. Therefore, a bridge was built to cross the river. A bridge, which holds four dragons. Now, knowing the story that the dragon lost the battle, you recognize that you can cross the bridge safely.

As for Jason and his people, they arrived safely at home and Jason became the greatest of the kings of Greece.

The Legend of Kiev, Ukraine

Kiev (or Kyiv) is the capital of Ukraine, located on the Dnieper River. At the banks of the river, stands a monument dedicated to the founders of Kiev. The monument depicts a boat with the three brothers armed with spears and a bow standing at the stern and their sister standing on the prow with her arms stretched as opening for a new beginning and this leads us to a legend.

A long time ago, there were three brothers: Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv and their sister, Lybid. They lived in a settlement by the river, which as any river was a good way of transporting goods. But it also brought some trouble as well. As more people learned about the location of the settlement, it brought more plunders.  It was becoming more and more obvious that either a strong fortification had to be built or a better strategically positioned place had to be found.

After one of those attacks, the three brothers sat outside under a thatched roof hiding their faces from the sun and wondered what they should do about it.

“Brothers how many more plunders can we tolerate? We survived them all, but we may not be so lucky next time,” said Kyi.

“Yes, brother I agree, but what should we do?” asked Shchek.

“Maybe we should think about moving deeper into the woods,” replied Khoryv, who silently was listening to his older brothers so far.

The two older brothers looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement at the same time. “Yes, brother it’s time to consider finding another place,” they replied.

All three brothers raised their cups filled with wine and agreed to pack their belongings or whatever was left of them after the recent plunder and move as soon as possible before the snow blanketed the lands.

The following days were not the happiest days for them as leaving their homes and wandering into the unknown didn’t make them feel secure. With their hearts sinking, they prepared for their uncertain journey.

When the day came to leave their old settlement, the retinue was led by three brothers and guarding men. A few guarding men were also at the very end to protect the middle, which was filled with women, children and elders.

They travelled through the woods and rocky terrain filled with winding creeks. It wasn’t an easy road to travel. The low growing bushes and snapped branches laying on the ground cracked under their feet making them watchful of their next step. Moist moss and grass made them slip. Strange noises and whispering leaves put them on alert. Big bears and scary wolves made them fight for their lives. All those obstacles slowed them down adding to their exhaustion. 

Nevertheless, there were some pleasant encounters with little frogs croaking and hiding under large leaves or red squirrels running up and down the trunk of the trees and its branches accidently dropping the nuts, which made the middle of the retinue laugh, especially kids.  

After many weeks of traveling through the woody hills and crossing deep ravines filled with small rocky rivers, they arrived at the top to an open view. In front of them was another hill separated by a big river. They realized that they met with the same river, which they left behind, because it bended to the left. So when they thought they were moving away from the river, they actually walked towards it. But what they also realized was that the side of the mount going down the river was sharp. The brothers recognized that the sharp slope by the river was a good protection from plundering tribes.

Three brothers looked at each other and declared in unison, “We should build our settlement here.”

The men started the fire for the women to prepare food. While the women got busy with preparation of the evening meal, the men unpacked their belongings and prepared the place for a good night sleep. It was going to be their first night at the new place.

In the evening, after a filling dinner, content brothers sat around the fire and the youngest one asked, “What should we call our new settlement?”

The middle brother suggested, “Since it was Kyi, who initiated to do something about our previous situation, maybe we should name it after him.”

The youngest brother raised his cup filled with wine and said, “Then let's call it Kyiv.”

The other two brothers raised their cups and saluted, “To Kyiv.”

With time, the settlement on a hill was decorated with a fortress, which gave a better protection for the inhabitants. So this was the beginning of one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe.

 

The Story of Arachne from Greek Mythology

Greece is home to the first advanced civilizations in Europe and is considered the birthplace of Western civilization. It is also home to Greek Mythology, which is a collection of myths (an important feature of many cultures). Greek Mythology is characterized by many gods, who ruled over the world as was believed in ancient Greece. Here is one story that involves goddess Athena and a weaver girl.

There was a young girl in Greece whose name was Arachne. Her face was pale but fair, and her hair was long and dark. All that she cared to do from morn till noon was to sit in the sun and spin; and all that she cared to do from noon till night was to sit in the shade and weave.

And oh, how fine and fair were the things which she wove on her loom! Flax, wool, silk—she worked with them all; and when they came from her hands, the cloth which she had made of them was so thin and soft and bright that people came from all parts of the world to see it. And they said that cloth so rare could not be made of flax, or wool, or silk, but that the warp was of rays of sunlight and the woof was of threads of gold.

Then as, day by day, the girl sat in the sun and spun, or sat in the shade and wove, she said: "In all the world there is no yarn so fine as mine, and in all the world there is no cloth so soft and smooth, nor silk so bright and rare."

One afternoon as she sat in the shade weaving and talking with passersby, someone asked of her, "Who taught you to spin and weave so well?"

"No one taught me," Arachne replied. "I learned how to do it as I sat in the sun and the shade; but no one showed me."

"But it may be that Athena, goddess of wisdom, taught you, and you did not know it."

"Athena? Bah!" said Arachne. "How could she teach me? Can she spin such skeins of yarn as these? Can she weave goods like mine? I should like to see her try. I can likely teach her a thing or two."

She looked up and saw in the doorway a tall woman wrapped in a long cloak. Her face was fair to see, but stern, oh, so stern! And her gray eyes were so sharp and bright that Arachne could not meet her gaze.

"Arachne," said the woman, "I am Athena, the goddess of craft and wisdom, and I have heard your boast. Are you certain you still mean to say that you can spin and weave as well as I?"

Arachne's cheeks grew pale, but she said: "Yes. I can weave as well as you."

"Then let me tell you what we will do," said Athena. "Three days from now we will both weave; you on your loom, and I on mine. We will ask all who wish to come and see us; and great Zeus, who sits in the clouds, shall be the judge. And if your work is best, then I will weave no more so long as the world shall last; but if my work is best, then you shall never use loom or spindle. Do you agree to this?"

"I agree," said Arachne.

"Very well," said Athena. And she was gone.

When the time came for the contest in weaving, hundreds were there to see it, and great Zeus sat among the clouds and looked on.

Arachne took her skeins of finest silk and began to weave. And she wove a web of marvelous beauty, so thin and light that it would float in the air, and yet so strong that it could hold a lion in its meshes; and the threads of warp and woof were of many colors, so beautifully arranged and mingled one with another that all who saw were filled with delight.

"No wonder that the maiden boasted of her skill," said the people and Zeus himself nodded.

Then Athena began to weave. And she took of the sunbeams that gilded the mountain top, and of the snowy fleece of the summer clouds, and of the blue ether of the summer sky, and of the bright green of the summer fields, and of the royal purple of the autumn woods,—and what do you suppose she wove?

The web which she wove was full of enchanting pictures of flowers and gardens, and of castles and towers, and of mountain heights, and of men and beasts, and of giants and dwarfs, and of the mighty beings that dwell in the clouds with Zeus. And those who looked upon it were so filled with wonder and delight that they forgot all about the beautiful web which Arachne had woven. And Arachne herself was ashamed and afraid when she saw it; and she hid her face in her hands and wept.

"Oh, how can I live," she cried, "now that I must never again use loom or spindle?"

And she kept on weeping and saying, "How can I live?"

Then, when Athena saw that the poor maiden would never have any joy unless she were allowed to spin and weave, she took pity on her and said:

"I would free you from your bargain if I could, but that is a thing which no one can do. You must hold to your agreement never to touch loom or spindle again. And yet, since you will never be happy unless you can spin and weave, I will give you a new form so that you can carry on your work with neither spindle nor loom."

Then she touched Arachne with the tip of the spear which she sometimes carried; and the maiden was changed at once into a nimble spider, which ran into a shady place in the grass and began merrily to spin and weave a beautiful web.

I have heard it said that all the spiders which have been in the world since then are the children of Arachne. Perhaps Arachne still lives and spins and weaves; and the very next spider that you see may be she herself.

Source: http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/greece/m-story-arachne-and-athena.htm