The tragic legend of Hussein: a Turk in the fight for life

The tragic legend of Hussein: a Turk in the fight for life

In the historic monuments of the Forchtenstein Castle, which served as a camp for Turkish war prisoners around 1650, a moving story takes place. A man named Hussein was among the prisoners. His sadness was not only under the supervisors who often noticed how he cried silently. The Count Ladislaus Esterhazy, who learned from Hussein's condition, finally took him to Eisenstadt, where he was assigned easier work in the palace garden. But Husseins heart remained difficult - he longed for his homeland and his family, who were indispensable in this dark time. Despite the new circumstances, the longing for his wife and two children could never breastfeed. The need did not let go of him and he asked for his freedom to travel home. The count, touched by Hussein's fate, gave him money and granted him the long-awaited freedom, so reports Hussein, who, with a deep gratitude and the promise to never forget the grace of the count, took good care of, finally seemed hope of returning. However, this longed -for freedom was only a small ray of hope that was shaped by the Turkish wars that lasted for centuries. These conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburgs began in the early 16th century and took on different forms in the next centuries. Forchtenstein Castle played a strategically important role.

in memory of Hussein and all those who left their lives during the Turkish wars, this sad story is also further retired today. Historically, it is a reflexive memory of how humanity and gratitude can be won over the hatred even in the darkest times. These stories are not only part of the local folklore, but also relate to the deep wounds of history that continue to live in the walls of the Forchtenstein Castle. Also visit say.at to learn more about the moving legend of Hussein.