The devil as a bridge builder
"Many legends are only passed on orally," says Barbara Rettig from the Matzner Archive. In his capacity as a German teacher, Anton Hofer let the students formulate stories into legends. A prime example is the legend of the Devil's Bridge near Matzner Castle. This narrow bridge was once swept away by raging water. A young wanderer agreed to rebuild the bridge in one night, if the mayor would give him his daughter's soul. Then the mayor realized that he was facing the devil. Nevertheless, he accepted the offer. After one night the bridge was ready and the devil asked for his wages. The mayor begged for mercy, and the journeyman offered to do three jobs, if this succeeded, the girl would be his. However, the last task of forging a chain of hair failed because all the hair in the forge was immediately burned. So the devil had to leave without having achieved anything and the bridge has been called the Devil's Bridge ever since. This was rebuilt in 2001 by SC Harakiri and the village renewal.
"We have collected many legends, also from neighboring communities," continues Barabara Rettig. There was a zoo around the castle. Even Berta von Suttner, who attached great importance to being related to the Matzner Kinskys, praised the great view from the castle in writing.