Every year, on Christmas night, a white maiden appears at the Rappoltstein castle of St. Ulrich. She walks several times around the castle, then stops at the gate, holding its key in her hand.
At that very moment, a knight comes riding from the castle of Zellenberg, wishing to release the maiden; but he is unable to do so, for this can be accomplished only by one who is living.
As soon as the maiden sees him coming, she draws her veil over her face and closes the gate behind her.
But if one day a living person dared the attempt and were able to fulfill the conditions bound up with the enchantment, the maiden would be set free, and all the rich treasures hidden in the castle would fall to him.
