Golden Elf and the shepherds by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
1. The Golden Elf
It all started in ancient times, when in the Golden Mountains there were only dense forests and pastures. One day, shepherds saw a golden creature in a dark forest. It was an ancient Golden Elf. No-one knew where he came from or maybe he had always been there?
The Golden Elf by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
The Golden Elf lived underground
The shepherds followed him, and when he fell asleep on his underground throne, they wanted to catch him. When they touched him, he crumbled into dust and turned into gold-bearing rocks. Only the golden elf's ear remained in the hands of the shepherds. However, it was so valuable that the shepherds could afford to create a settlement.
The town of Zloty Stok by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
2. The Town of Złoty Stok
The town was founded on the thriving gold mines. Even though the work was hard, the town was quite rich. The magic of the old days appeared from time to time in different places of the settlement and touched the inhabitants with its power.
Gold Mine in Zloty Stok by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
3. The Underground
The underground was teeming with life: the patter of tiny feet and the beating of the hearts of gnomes were accompanying the daily work of the miners. They felt that they were being followed by both good and malicious creatures. As long as they did not get in their way, they could feel safe.
The Witch Mountain by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
4. The Witch Mountain
The Witch Mountain towered over the city. Everyone was afraid to look at it. A witch lived there, who kidnapped children, probably eating them and ensuring their immortality. One day, the mayor's son ran down the mountain in frustration and called for everyone from the city to follow him to the top of the mountain.
Townspeople by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
5. The hermit
The townspeople ran to the top. It turned out that, actually, it was a hermit who lived there. He chased away the evil witch, stuck a cross in front of his hut and persuaded the inhabitants to adopt a new religion in exchange for peace and security. From that day, the Witch Mountain was called Saint Anna's Mountain.
The Dragon of the Golden Mountains by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
6. Huge Dragons
Another legend tells about huge dragons. They lived in the old days, but when people stopped believing in them, they fell asleep. They were overgrown with vegetation, which with time turned into large and dense forests. To this day, hikers cannot be sure whether they are walking in the mountains or on sleeping dragons.
Daughters of the River by Alex ZappaThe Gold Mine in Złoty Stok
7. The Two Streams
This is a story about two daughters of a carpenter and a dryad. In great anger, one of the sisters raised her hand onto the other, and they both turned into a stream. It flows to this day and one part is is called Golden Stream, and the other one Poison, to commemorate the good and bad sister.
Text: Meg and Maciej Dziczkowscy
Ilustrations: Alex Zappa
