A long time ago, when Banská Bystrica was not known as a famous town, lived a beautiful young girl. Her soul was as pure as a lily and her name was Magdalene. She came from a poor family. To help her parents she went out early in the morning to collect the laundry of the rich townsfolk that she washed in the Hron river. The dull work was brightened by her singing. She sang songs her mother used to sing to her when she was little. One summer morning Vinnie the water goblin who lives in the Hron overheard her. Her sweet voice charmed him and touched his riverine soul. From that moment on, he waited for Magdalene every morning and secretly observed her from behind a willow tree. He fell head 35 over heels in love. This continued for a month when the storm broke out. The sky darkened, the wind tugged the tree twigs and the river turned into a fierce torrent. Magdalene did not have time to get to a shelter and instead hurriedly collected the washed laundry. She accepted coming home soaked and wet. When she reached for the last piece of laundry, she slipped on a wet stone. She fell into the water and hurt her leg. Vinnie immediately leapt over and carried her to the riverbank. Magdalene was not at all surprised by this lad who helped her out of nowhere. From that day on, Vinnie kept her company while she was working. They got on very well and became loyal friends. Neither of them suspected, though, that Magdalene is admired by Cyril the Giant who was hiding inside the nearby Urpín mountain. When Vinnie realized that someone else has his eye on Magdalene, he was very angry and wanted to secure his love. So, he set out to the town square to buy Magdalene a gingerbread heart at the fair. Meanwhile, Cyril stole the girl and imprisoned her in the town clock. He told her that he would free her only if she became his wife. Magdalene would never do that. She dreamed of Vinnie night and day. From the tower, she sang for his help. On the third day, the singing brought Vincent to the tower. At first, he stood around hesitantly but then, he dared to cry out to her, albeit timidly: “Do not worry, jump into my arms. I will catch you!” He did not realise that his magic powers only work within the shores of Hron. Magdalene hesitated, worried, and still, she finally jumped. She fell right through Vinnie’s arms, and the earth opened under her. Everything around started to shake, the sky rumbled and an entrance into a mine full of copper and silver appeared. It was then that the clock tower leaned to the side. However, the townsfolk started to mine copper and silver and renamed the town to Banská Bystrica, the miners’ brook. From that moment the leaning tower became the significant landmark of the town square. Magdalene, Vinnie and Cyril have never been seen again, only the mine gnomes secretly whisper to each other the story of their love.
Story from the book What Is Whispered About the Copper City, Primary School Moskovská 2, Banská Bystrica. Author of the story: Šimon Jelínek, Primary School SSV, Skuteckého 8, Banská Bystrica.
