The Wild Women of the Lucken Caves

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Geographic Coordinates: 47° 31' 15.64" N, 15° 33' 35.89" E

There is a cave in the Freßnitzgraben valley in the Kindberg district which was once very roomy, but has now partially collapsed. This cave was allegedly inhabited by Wild Women a long time ago, and also received its name from them. There were supposedly seven of them, utterly beautiful women all, with long hair which hung down from them like weaves of gold. These beings did a lot of good for the poor. But you had to visit them in their cave and then make your request in person. Then they would always be able to assist with advice and aid.

It is said that once a Wild Woman dared to go down into the valley. Suddenly, a black billy goat charged her in order to impale her with his long, pointy horns. A woodcutter, who was nearby and witnessed this, quickly cut three crosses into a tree trunk lying on the ground with his axe. The Wild Woman hurried there and sat down on it. Then the billy goat ran off with wide, angry leaps. The woman now thanked the woodcutter in a friendly manner, told him to visit her in her cave, and then vanished.

Once, when the woodcutter was in dire straits, he remembered the invitation of the Wild Woman, and went out to visit her. When he reached the cave, the beautiful women were very welcoming, and gifted a golden axe to him, telling him that he would find a treasure wherever he would strike with it.

And indeed, this was true, and the poor woodcutter became an extraordinarily rich man.

Source: Krainz - Mythen und Sagen aus dem steirischen Hochlande, p. 393