Ubelbach, nestled on the slopes of the imposing Volland, is the backdrop for the intertwined tales of shame and fortune surrounding a gendarme. The local lore speaks of Volland as a cursed place, linked to the legend of Lucifer, who fell from grace and became trapped in the stone formations. As he plummeted through the cosmos, the giant became immobilized, leaving only his back and a stone slab visible, while his heart continues to beat beneath the earth. For centuries, farmers, loggers, and hunters have heard ominous thumps from the depths, signaling impending calamities like plagues, wars, or livestock deaths. Despite the dark tales, the region remains largely undisturbed by the malign forces that supposedly govern it. The community, secluded and serene, gathers around an ancient church that houses a revered image, surrounded by lush meadows and forests, with a stream that once hosted Roman travelers. This setting captures the essence of a place where history, myth, and the human experience converge, reflecting both the beauty and the lurking shadows of existence.
