Often called ‘the monk of the mountain’ or ‘the monk of the mines’, this being is a spirit from Germanic mythology, specifically from Saxony. He is said to inhabit the Harz mountain chain in northern Germany.
The Bergmönch resembles a human monk (hence the name) in clothing and appearance, but not in size. He is a giant in monk’s clothing, with white or gray hair. They are also called “Bergmännchen”, and despite their penchant for punishing people, they are generally not considered evil beings and they are known to help miners in need.
There are stories of Bergmännchen appearing to people in the form of animals: as a horse or a blackbird. Sometimes, they appear as insects (flies or hornets) instead.
He is known to punish people who whistle or curse within the mine tunnels. This is very similar to the Swedish Gruvrå, a spirit of the mines who also punishes people who either curse or whistle in the mines. I suspect the two myths have influenced each other, or one is simply a version of the other that differentiated. Whereas the Bergmönch is an old man of giant stature, the Gruvrå is a pale woman wearing a grey or black dress, but aside from that they are pretty much the same creature.
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