The tale begins in the hustle and bustle of Cologne’s old city center. This busy city in the heart of Germany is known for its grand Cathedral, its bustling squares, and its rich history, but it’s the city’s magical folklore that truly captures the heart. The story of the Heinzelmaennchen of Cologne tells of tiny, diligent elves who worked in secret to complete the tasks of the town’s folk while they slept at night. These little gnome-like beings, barely reaching a foot in height, were known as the ‘Heinzelmaennchen’. Mischievous but inherently good, wielding tools not just to make mischief, but to also help the people of Cologne. From bakers to shoemakers, cobblers to tailors, each craftsperson would awake each day to marvel at the work that had been completed overnight. Through their diligent nightly work, they brought prosperity and happiness to the city. But everything changed when a curious tailor’s wife decided to sneak a peek at these magical outlets, scattering peas on the stairs to make them slip and reveal themselves. Terrified of being discovered, the Heinzelmaennchen disappeared, never to be seen again. Overnight, Cologne lost its nocturnal helpers. The people of the city were left to do their own work, and although they manage, some say the glory days of Cologne have never quite been the same since that fateful night. This is a tale imbued in every cobblestone and told generation after generation among the locals of Cologne, reminding them always of the chance they had of coexisting with these mysterious little workers. Even today, many claim to feel their presence, especially during colder months, in the quiet corners of the city.