Piešťany’s Well

A long time ago, when Bolkó owned a castle in Piešťany (Pőstyén), every wealthy man wanted to marry his daughter, Borica.

But Borica loved a poor knight, Imre, who lived in the same castle. Bolkó didn’t allow them to marry each other, so they had a secret relationship.

Borica had a stepmother who treated her cruelly, so she couldn’t tell her her secret. She felt lonely.

One night, when Imre climbed up to Borica’s window to see her, the stepmother caught them. Bolkó threw him out of the castle, but before Imre left, he whispered to Borica: ”I’ll meet you by the well tomorrow, at midnight.”

The next day was Saint Stephen’s Day. The whole castle was preparing for it, so nobody cared about Borica. At midnight, she sneaked out to the well with a jug in her hands to trick people into thinking she was going to get some water.

Imre and Borica were very sad, as they couldn’t see each other anymore. They said their goodbyes. Imre left and Borica went to the well to get some water.

Just as her jug touched the water, Saint Stephen appeared and told her not to worry, because the first man she’d see the next day on her way to the church was going to be her husband.

The next day, on her way to the church with her heart pounding, Borica didn’t dare to look up. She was afraid she’d see someone she didn’t want to marry. She saw somebody’s shadow, and she immediately knew it was Imre.

Soon Borica’s stepmother died and her father became very sick. He had no choice but to call Imre and give his blessing to the couple.

Since then, girls from Piešťany have been going to the well the night before Saint Stephen’s Day. They pray that they’ll meet their future husband on their way to the church the following day.

Thank you for your attention :)

made by : Ölveczky Éva