Schwerin Castle’s Little Peter Male: The Legend of Petermännchen

Schwerin Castle, a German landmark, is home to Petermännchen, a Renaissance-dressed house spirit. This loyal guardian, sculpted in 1856, roams the castle, rewarding good and pranking intruders, a legend linked to a pagan god's attendant.

Located within walking range of the community facility and train station, Schwerin Castle is open throughout office hours Tuesday through Sunday. No entry ticket is needed to go to the yard, where the Petermännchen sculpture stands in a wall surface alcove a number of feet above ground on the southwest side, by a restaurant.

The Castle’s Legendary Spirit

Some of the last declared sightings of Petermännchen date to the very early 1900s. Throughout a fire in 1913, a child of the grand ducal family members was said to have seen the figure inside the castle as flames spread through component of the structure.

In the yard of Schwerin’s former ducal palace stands a sandstone statuary of a petite guy with a hefty moustache and aimed beard. Dressed in Renaissance-era court clothing, he uses a brief tunic, a millstone collar, and a feathery hat. Created around 1856 by regional sculptor Heinrich Petters, the number shows Petermännchen (actually “Little Peter Male”), the castle’s family spirit.

Petermännchen’s Ancient Origins

According to neighborhood legend, Schwerin Castle remains on a website as soon as spiritual to a pagan god. When Christianity reached the region, the god was stated to have actually taken off, leaving behind his attendant spirits. In time they too disappeared, all except Petermännchen, that declined to desert his message and stayed in the palace’s vaults, devoted to his old obligation despite the change in faith.

Petermännchen is said to roam the grand building’s cellars and passages, lugging a lantern and unlocking doors with a hefty set of tricks. He awards etiquette however pesters burglars and burglars with pranks. In the evening, he is criticized for inexplicable knocking sounds and is understood to rouse guards who have slept, saving them from penalty.