This year my A to Z theme is Small Town Legends. I am exploring folklore from villages and small towns in and around Hungary, bringing you the most entertaining bits. You can plan your next visit around them!
Okay so the Hungarian language doesn't use a W. Instead, I went for a legend about a place that has a German name, as well as a Slovakian and a Hungarian one. The German name is Weinitz; the current Slovakian name is Bojnice; the older Hungarian name is Bajmóc. It is a town of about 5000 inhabitants in a region that used to be a part of larger Hungary. It is most famous for its castle.
One of the castle legends has to do with the (in)famous bandit Jánošík. In the castle courtyard there is a mostly dry well, from the depths of which several tunnels lead to underground chambers. Legend says that the famous bandit and his 12 companions hid in those tunnels, and secreted away their loot there as well. However, they could not hide forever; eventually they were captured by the castle guards. The 12 companions were hanged, and Jánošík was sentenced to die of starvation in the castle dungeons.
The only person allowed to visit the dying bandit was his daughter and her infant son. She visited regularly, but never managed to sneak any food in; she was searched thoroughly every time she entered. And yet, as months passed, Jánošík was somehow still alive. He held on so long that people began to talk about a miracle. The lord of the castle eventually took is as a sign, freed Jánošík, and hired him as part of his retinue. Jánošík served him with loyalty till the end of his days.
No one ever figured out that his daughter had kept him alive by feeding him breastmilk every day.
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