The Bettelmännle (Little Beggar)
Origin of the Name
The Bettelmännle gets its name from the poor soil conditions found here. The subsoil, consisting mainly of the Bunter sandstone conglomerate, weathers into acidic and coarse-grained soils unsuitable for agriculture.
Local folklore wasn't satisfied with this explanation, and one legend tells of a beggar who was turned away in Reinerzau and starved to death at this spot on his way to Rotenbach.
Another version claims the beggar came from Rötenbach and starved to death on his way to Reinerzau. Both legends likely have no basis in reality, as the path between these two present-day districts didn't lead through the Bettelmännle, but rather via the Sattellege.
The Bettelmännle Carnival Figure
The Bettelmännle, the carnival figure of Alpirsbach, doesn't bring misfortune, but instead gives out pretzels. A figure of the beggar man can be viewed in the Alpirsbach Museum.