The Schächerloch
The name of this natural fissure cave comes from "Schächer" as an old term for "robber" or "murderer". It is a natural monument and belongs to the municipality of Esselbach.
The entrance leads about four meters deep. To the left and right, passages continue, but most of them are now buried. According to old reports, there used to be a large dome-shaped room and a water flow in the cave after about 70 meters. Caves made of Bundsandstein are rare and have a special attraction. This is also evidenced by a huge circle of legends surrounding the Schächerloch. The folklorist Barbara Grimm once counted 105 legends.
Emperor Charles IV is said to have been hidden here on his way to Canossa and the rest of the Steinmark population is said to have survived here during the Thirty Years' War, while a Swedish rider is said to have perished here (hence the name "Schwedenloch"). The Schächerloch is known as a place of treasure hunts with bad outcomes and as a place where monsters, scoundrels and giants live.
A mountain spirit is also said to live here with a yew tree and a grey bird. Using a branch of this yew as a divining rod, one can find all the treasures of the world. This extraordinary variety of stories could also be an indication that the Schächerloch was once a place of worship. Stone axe finds certainly indicate prehistoric significance.
Source: Information board at the site