The Three Maidens at Leutstetten
In the cellars of the castle ruins on the Karlsberg to the northwest of Leutstetten, three beautiful maidens have been imprisoned by sorcery, and there they wait for release. During the Holy Night people have seen lights on the hill and heard the maidens sing. There are three large iron chests in the cellars beneath the castle, one of which is filled with gems, the other with pearls, and the third with copper pennies. Treasure hunters have frequently attempted to unearth this treasure, but they were always driven away by evil hauntings.
Source: Panzer, F. Bayerische Sagen und Bräuche. Beitrag zur deutschen Mythologie. Erster Band, 1848. p. 31.
Once a farmhand went to the Karlsberg because he wanted to gather nuts. On the way there he encountered a beautiful woman. He told her: “I will kiss you, I will hug you!” The maiden replied: “If you kiss me three times, I will give you so much money that both you and your children will never lack anything as long as you live.” The first kiss went well, since she still appeared as a beautiful maiden. But when he tried to kiss her a second time, she appeared as a snake, and he was too startled to kiss her. The third time she appeared as the Devil himself, and the man became so frightened that he ran away. For this he received a huge slap in the face, and the maiden proclaimed: “Because you broke your word, you will get nothing at all.”
Source: Panzer, F. Bayerische Sagen und Bräuche. Beitrag zur deutschen Mythologie. Erster Band, 1848. p. 32.
The three praying sisters Ainpett, Gberpett, and Fürpett came from the West, during a time when the strife between tribes would not allow them to find a place they could call home there. They built a small house for themselves with the assistance of a few local faithful which was located directly opposite the Petersbrunnen spring. This house came to be called “Einbetl”. Each sister had her own cell and their own entrance, for each worked on her own. They occupied themselves with religious contemplation within their chamber and preaching and solidifying the teachings of Jesus Christ among the local people. They subsisted on roots and herbs and small amounts of bread donated to them.
They also assisted the locals in other way, such as by healing and assisting the sick. But it took them aback when one of them was mistreated by soldiers passing through the region, and when they heard of the state of affairs in the Orient they left this place. No trace of them remained other than the faithful remembrance of the local people. Eventually even the chapel which was built in remembrance at the site of their home was gone, and all that remains is their representation in the church in Leutstetten.
This image displays the three maidens at their center. To the left a pilgrim is depicted carrying a rosary and staff, below him a bishop with a church in the left hand and a crosier and an axe in his right. To the upper right there is a bishop with three apples in one hand and the crosier and a goose (?)1) in the other, and a monk below him.
The three maidens all wear crowns. The middle one holds an open book in her left hand and a laurel wreath in her right; the maiden to the left carries a laurel wreath and an arrow and the one on the right carries a laurel wreath and an arrow in her right hand and an arrow in her left hand. Above their heads the following is inscribed:
“S. Ainpet, S. Gberpet, S. Firpet.”
Source: Panzer, F. Bayerische Sagen und Bräuche. Beitrag zur deutschen Mythologie. Erster Band, 1848. p. 32.
Notes & commentary: The Three Maidens