One of the most enduring pieces of folklore from the city of Cologne, Germany, is centered around the famous Cologne Cathedral known also as Kölner Dom. This masterpiece of high Gothic architecture, which draws millions of tourists every year, carries with it a fascinating legend that dates back to the Middle Ages. The story begins with the cathedral’s master builder. Desperate to finish the cathedral, which had been under construction for hundreds of years, the builder made a pact with the devil. The devil would supply the plans for the cathedral, enabling the master builder to complete the structure. In return, the builder would forfeit his soul to the devil once the cathedral was finished. With the devil’s help, the work on the cathedral progressed at a rapid pace. However, as the completion of the cathedral drew near, the master builder began to regret his pact. In a desperate bid to save his soul, the builder devised a cunning plan. He challenged the devil to a race, wagering his soul on its outcome. The devil had to build a high mountain while the master builder had to complete the cathedral. Trusting in his supernatural powers, the devil readily agreed. On the day of the challenge, as the devil was about to finish his mountain, the builder tricked him by mimicking the crow of a rooster, traditionally signaling daybreak. Thinking that he had lost, the devil stopped working on his mountain. The result of this race is the massive cathedral that stands in Cologne to this day, and the unfinished Devil’s Hill, or Teufelsberg. The builder had managed to save his soul, and in doing so, left behind a symbol of faith that has endured for centuries.