The Legend of the Dragon Mountain

You may already know that Lucerne’s history is steeped in legends. The imposing Mount Pilatus, looming above the city, has sparked the imagination of locals for centuries. The origins of the mountain’s name remain unclear. It may come from the Latin Pileatus, meaning “capped,” referring to its snow-covered peaks. One legend claims that it was named after the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who sentenced Jesus to death. Pilate’s body and soul are said to lie at the bottom of a lake at the summit. Legend has it that every Good Friday, he rises from the dead to wash his hands of Christ’s blood. The tale gave the mountain a reputation for being cursed; climbing it was once forbidden, and punishable by imprisonment. Mount Pilatus is best known for its dragon legends. One tale tells of a boy who fell into a mountain crevasse in autumn. He was sheltered all winter by two dragons, who protected him until summer. Another account claims that after a violent storm, witnesses saw a wingless dragon swept into the rushing river—a strange and unforgettable sight. The most famous tale is that of the mysterious Dragon Stone. In the summer of 1421, a massive dragon is said to have flown from Mount Pilatus and crash-landed next to a farmer, who fainted from fright. When he awoke, the dragon was gone, but in its place was a pool of blood and a round stone etched with a mysterious symbol. The stone was believed to have healing powers, and an official document from 1509 confirms its existence. It was once used as a cure for the plague and other ailments. If this legend intrigues you, you can see the original 15th-century Dragon Stone for yourself. It’s now part of the “Earth Sciences” exhibition at the Lucerne Natural History Museum. Doubts began to grow in the 18th century, and scientists started conducting experiments, hoping to uncover the stone’s secrets. Some suspected it was a meteorite—which could explain the legend. Studies from 2007 revealed that it’s actually a ball of clay, though the mysterious markings remain unidentified. The mystery continues to this day. It goes to show that we need the unexplained to keep our imaginations alive. A recent investigation has begun searching for evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.