In former times, the silver mines of Markirch were counted among the richest in silver in all Europe. In those days, the pious miners, wishing to show their gratitude to the Mother of God, their protectress, had an image of the Virgin made from solid silver; and the yield of their mines grew ever more abundant.
But then war and famine came over the land. In their distress, the miners took the image from its holy place and had it made into coin.
From that hour on, the silver veins grew poorer day by day, so that in the present age it is no longer worth the trouble to work them.
