Isabella Mueller Baroness of Stainton le Vale
Köpenick is a district of Berlin that not only boasts picturesque riverside promenades and a charming old town, but also a history that would make even the bravest among us shiver. One of the most fascinating legends concerns the Lange Brücke (Long Bridge), which has spanned the Dahme River for centuries and is also known locally as the Bridge of Sighs. The origins of this bridge date back to the 17th century. A copperplate engraving from 1652 shows the dam bridge over the Spree and the Long Bridge over the Dahme. Although it was extensively restored in 1990, many stories and myths surrounding this structure remain. The story that led to the name “Sigh Bridge” is particularly exciting, as it is marked by love, loss, and supernatural phenomena. The legend tells of a beautiful princess who lived in Köpenick Castle. This lady was no ordinary noblewoman; she was wild and freedom-loving and loved to hunt in the woods. During one of her hunting parties, she met the “handsome hunter,” and a passionate love quickly blossomed between the two. To keep their affair secret, the hunter swam across the Dahme River after each of their trysts, which certainly involved a certain amount of risk, but the two were madly in love with each other. Of course, this secret love did not remain undiscovered for long. The princess’s brothers, jealous and concerned for her reputation, eventually learned of the nightly meetings. Instead of simply warning or admonishing the two, they decided on a cruel punishment. The princess was walled up alive in the dark castle dungeon on the riverbank, while her lover was hanged from one of the bridge pillars. A cruel end for a couple who only wanted to live out their love for each other. Legend has it that the heartbreaking sighs of the lovers echoed across the bridge for a long time, as if the spirits of the two unfortunate souls refused to find their final peace. It is said that people who crossed the bridge in the evening often felt inexplicable shivers and could sense the gloomy presence of the lost souls. But at some point, after numerous renovations and restorations of the bridge, the sighs fell silent. Another mysterious aspect of the legend are the stories of people who have seen a white veil floating around at night. It is said to be the ghost of the princess, who wanted to say a final goodbye to her hunter. This image of the waving veil, visible in the darkness, has frightened and fascinated generations of Köpenickers. Today, the Long Bridge is a beautiful place for walks and views, but the scary stories surrounding it have never completely disappeared. Sometimes, the old folks say, you can hear the soft sighing of the wind blowing through the trees and wonder if the souls of the sad lovers are still wandering around, searching for their lost love. In the evening, when the sun disappears behind the horizon and the moon casts its silvery light on the water’s surface, is the perfect time to stroll across the Sighing Bridge. Perhaps you will encounter the princess or hear the soft call of the hunter from the past. Who knows what secrets and stories the waters of the Dahme really hold?
