The Legend of Pfeifer Huisele: Ratschings' Sorcerer and His Pact With the Devil
Before Ratschings became a holiday destination, it was stories like this one that passed from farmhouse to farmhouse, generation to generation. The legend of Pfeifer Huisele is one of the best-known tales of the Ratschings Valley — a story of laziness, sorcery, and a pact that doesn't end well.
A Good-for-Nothing From Flading
Pfeifer Huisele was born around the year 1620 in Flading, in the farthest corner of the Ratschings Valley. His parents were poor farmers, and hardship was part of his life from the start. Even as a child he was a ne'er-do-well: a work-shy but strikingly witty and clever farmhand who never quite came to terms with the hard life on the farm.
The Pact With the Devil
Huisele had no taste for a life of such relentless toil, so he struck a pact with the devil. From that moment on, he was a sorcerer with power over animals, people, and even the weather. He could even transform himself into animals — an ability that once very nearly proved his undoing.
The Tale of the Fly in the Milk
It was a hot summer day, and Huisele felt a powerful thirst. Without much thought, the sorcerer transformed himself into a fly, flew to the nearest farmhouse, and slipped through the keyhole straight into the milk chamber. There the fly drank greedily from the fresh milk — until it fell right into the middle of the bowl and could no longer reach the edge. To its great alarm, the farmwife walked in just then, saw the fly struggling in the milk, scooped it out with her finger, and flung it to the floor. But the moment Huisele stood on solid ground again, his strength returned, and he made his escape.
When the Devil's Patience Runs Out
But Huisele carried on with his mischief for too long. After countless sins and pranks played on the poor farmers of the valley, he was finally caught by the devil himself. According to legend, the devil was so furious that as he departed, he tore a massive trench into the landscape — the deep gorge that can still be visited in the Ratschings Valley today, bearing the sorcerer's name.
Visiting the Gorge Today
Anyone wanting to get to the bottom of the legend can explore the Pfeifer Huisile Gorge in person — an atmospheric spot that fires the imagination and shows just how closely landscape and storytelling tradition are woven together in Ratschings. For families with children, a trip there is an entertaining way to get a taste of local culture, no museum or lecture required.
Why Legends Like This Are Still Alive Today
Stories like the tale of Pfeifer Huisele tell more than just a spooky anecdote — they reflect the hard life of mountain farmers in centuries past, their fears, their humor, and their way of coping with adversity. In an age without explanations for sudden weather changes, poor harvests, or illness, such legends offered a way to make sense of the inexplicable. Today they're a fondly preserved piece of cultural history that fascinates children and adults alike.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Legend of Pfeifer Huisele
A poor farmhand from Flading in the Ratschings Valley, born around 1620, who according to legend struck a pact with the devil and became a sorcerer.
He had power over animals, people, and the weather, and could even transform himself into animals.
After countless pranks, Huisele was caught by the devil, who in his fury tore a deep gorge into the landscape.
Yes, the Pfeifer Huisile Gorge in the Ratschings Valley can still be visited today.
It's a piece of living cultural history, reflecting the storytelling tradition and everyday life of the mountain farmers of the past.