Even in our time, the majestic beauty of medieval buildings is admired. In the era when they were being built, the superstitious consciousness was sometimes unable to accept the fact that human hands could create such a thing. Therefore, it is not surprising that in some cases the construction of such buildings was attributed to the devil himself … To what objects did the unclean man allegedly have a hand?
Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel
Today this abbey is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The building was erected in the XII century on a sea rock. It was only possible to get there during low tide. The construction is associated with the following legend. The devil allegedly argued with the Archangel Michael, which of them would build a more beautiful temple. Then the archangel built a temple so beautiful that he was immediately taken to heaven. But people never saw the building. The temple built by Satan was also very beautiful, but figures of monsters and chimeras served as decorations …
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral was founded in 1248 with the participation of Albert the Great (1193-1280). Although Albert von Bolstedt (that was his real name) was officially considered a theologian and scholastic, wrote many works on science and theology, he, like many enlightened people of that time, was fond of magic, alchemy and astrology. The people considered him a warlock and it was said that the devil himself helped Albert build the cathedral in Cologne.
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Notre Dame de Paris
Satan allegedly participated in the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral in the XII century. There, in the famous Gallery of Chimeras, there is an image, which, according to legend, is a "self-portrait" of the unclean. The chimera is called the "devil-thinker." True, one should not forget the fact that chimeras, unlike gargoyles on the facade of the cathedral, appeared here only in the 19th century during the restoration, at the initiative of the architect Viollet-le-Duc.
According to legend, Satan put his hand to the gates of the cathedral. The lattice of the gate is a real work of art made of wrought iron: the interlacing of openwork leaves, figured locks … And the legend is that. The order for the forging of the gate was entrusted to a blacksmith named Biscorne. But he was not sure of his skill and decided to call the devil for help … He helped. When people saw such beauty, they literally gasped. However, after the locks were cut into the gate, it turned out that they could not be opened. It's good that someone guessed to sprinkle the metal with holy water.
Biscorne ended badly. Remembering the perfect deal with the devil, he fell into depression and soon died of an unknown illness.
Chartres Cathedral
Legend has it that Chartres Cathedral was built on the site of an ancient Druidic sanctuary. According to rumors, the foundation of the building was laid by Satan. And there was evidence of the "devilish" origin of the cathedral.
It is said that at one time a statue of a pregnant woman made of ebony was kept in the temple. It was discovered in the 3rd century and has long been considered an image of the Mother of God. However, in the 18th century, historians came to the conclusion that the relic has nothing to do with Christianity: it is an image of the Celtic mother goddess. In legends, she is called the Black Madonna.
Bridge at Borgo a Mozzano
The devil was often credited with the construction of bridges, since the bridge has long and in almost all cultures symbolized the transition between the physical and the other world. They were called so - "damn". One of these bridges is allegedly located in the Italian town of Borgo a Mozzano.
And the story, according to legend, was like this. The inhabitants of the town decided to build a bridge across the river, but every time it collapsed. Then the townspeople made a deal with the devil, offering to take the soul of the first living creature that will cross the bridge after the construction is completed.
However, people were able to outwit Satan by specially launching a stray dog onto the bridge. What happened to her is unknown, but the Devil's Bridge has stood in its place for a millennium …
Bridge between Mauriceville and Iceville
It is said that two cities once stood on the banks of the Purple River - Mauriceville and Iceville. To get from one city to another, one had to cross to the other side by ferry. But one morning it turned out that a bridge had been laid across the river.
How could a bridge arise overnight? It immediately became clear that this was not without the unclean. Therefore, the townspeople were afraid to step on the bridge first: well, how will the trouble happen? The animals did not even want to approach the bridge. And then the priest from Iceville recalled that such a prophecy had once been made: if a bridge appeared in this place, a terrible attack would come from the mountains …
Yet one drunken resident of Iceville volunteered to be the first to cross the bridge. But he ran back from halfway: he could not overcome the fear … And the next day the daredevil was found dead.
After that, the inhabitants of the two cities decided that since the dark forces took the victim, then nothing more bad would happen. But they forgot about the old prophecy. Soon the entire population of Mauriceville and Iceville was carried away by the plague. Nobody survived. And as soon as the last patient died, the bridge over the Purple River disappeared.
However, this is just a legend. It is possible that there was no bridge at all, as well as two cities with such names. Although plague epidemics in the Middle Ages were quite frequent.