Jochensteinfelsen am Donaukraftwerk Jochenstein

Engelhartszell, Oberösterreich, Österreich

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Suitable for kids (all ages)

Danube power plant Jochenstein

Just beneath the power station, ten metres above water level in the middle of the Danube current a rock arises. It was left untouched during the construction of the power station. Because the rock reminds of a bridge piling, in German “Brückenjoch”, people have been calling it “Jochenstein” since ages.
Many legends are connected to the rock. After one legend the devil himself personally threw the huge rock into the Danube. According to another legend this was the first Christian Baptism Site, dedicated to the John the Baptist, in the surroundings.
The most interesting legend is the one about the Danube nix Isa. The “Jochenstein” rock used to be the peak of a tower of the grand crystal palace, which was the home of the mermaid queen Isa, the sister of Loreley. During fog she friendly warned the seamen, during full moon she sat on the rock and confused them with their singing. Whoever got too close to Isa was lost forever to her. The picture of the Virgin Mary, which was built by the mother of a nearly lost seaman, evicted the Danube mermaid Isa.