Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Bahkauv Fountain

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Bahkauv Fountain

Recommended by 89 hikers out of 94

Save

Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Bahkauv Fountain

3.9

(16)

165

hikers

1. Aachen Cathedral – Katschhof Square, Aachen loop from Kaiserplatz

6.35km

01:39

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

5.0

(7)

121

hikers

2. Puppet Fountain – Elisenbrunnen Aachen loop from Aachen West

6.69km

01:44

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

5.0

(2)

hikers

3. Lousberg Forest Park – Aachen Cathedral loop from Aachen Schanz

8.41km

02:19

140m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

Bernd 🌲🦌🍄🥾

October 30, 2022

The legend of the Bahkauv:

When walking through the old town of Aachen, you will inevitably come across a dark bronze monster at Büchel - the "Bahkauv."

Here there was once a so-called Kolbert, a permanent water source that served as a washing place for maids. According to legend, the water-soaked Bahkauv - resembling a large calf with scaly fur and sharp teeth - also lived in these springs and waited greedily for its next prey. Especially at night, when drunken men made their way home, their roaring woke the sleeping monster. With a loud rattling of chains and a shrill roar, it jumped onto the shoulders of the frightened men, scaring them almost to death and stealing the last of their money from their pockets. Only with great effort were they able to free themselves from the heavy load just before their front door and shake off the "Bachkalb."

And who knows, maybe one or two late returnees are still struggling with the heavy burden of the “Bahkauv”...

Source: aachen-tourismus.de/entdecken/aachener-sagen-legenden

Translated by Google •

Rapunzel

August 20, 2023

The Bahkauv monster at Büchel at the Hotel Aquis Granus - ready to jump.

According to legend, the actual monster had the head of a calf, which is translated as a brook calf, which symbolically guards the Kaiserquelle. The fountain figure at Büchel dates from 1967.

The head of the monster, which is said to have guarded the sulphurous "smelling" springs, is more reminiscent of that of a lioness in the current depiction. At least the long reptilian tail follows the image of the legend. The depiction of the originally shaggy fur is also missing from this monster.

The previous fountain from 1903 was melted down during the war.

The old fountain certainly has a clearer connection to the legend that the Bahkauv jumped onto the shoulders of the drunken returnee. The fact that the brook calf robbed the drinker was certainly a good excuse for empty pockets after a drinking binge in earlier times.

Another legend tells that an early gatekeeper, who was tasked with tracking down the evil creature, disguised himself as the creature and robbed drunks on their way home. A blacksmith put an end to this practice when he confronted the monster and unmasked the thief, who is said to have received a good beating.

aachen-schoene-altstadt.de/bahkauv

Translated by Google •

Katrien

June 29, 2024

Bahkauv actually means stream calf. This Bachkallb is a monster that looked part bear and part buffalo. Depending on the description, it also resembles a scale-covered beast with sharp tusks, which has a powerful tail and long claws on its toes.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 220 m

Weather

Today

Friday 19 September

27°C

20°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Bahkauv Fountain

1. Aachen Cathedral – Katschhof Square, Aachen loop from Kaiserplatz

2. Puppet Fountain – Elisenbrunnen Aachen loop from Aachen West

3. Lousberg Forest Park – Aachen Cathedral loop from Aachen Schanz

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️