The Seven Virgins

It is said, that seven very pretty but rather prudish sisters, not willing to bow their tender necks under the yoke of matrimony, continued to live at the Schönburg castle. One day a group of suitors, who had met with a polite refusal for many years and endured much derision, delivered an ultimatum of marriage to be decided by drawing lots. The process of selection had been manipulated so that the most ugly, misshapen suitors won, and became the laughing-stock of all. The selection of the brides never occurred, because they hurried away like elves while singing loudly, using what today is called “Elfenley” rock to disappear down the river.

They had only gained the first bend of the Rhine River, where seven rocks (partly visible from the castle) jutting out of the river. Later, these rocks were considered to be symbols for the stony hearts of the prudish virgins. It should be added that even with the noted fertility of the Schönburgs, none of them produced seven daughters.