Almost 400 people lost their jobs when the factory went bankrupt in 1902. Most of the factory was demolished afterwards. However, the traces in the landscape where lime and marl were mined are still clearly visible today. For example, the "Heidewiibliloch" was created, where today there is a barbecue area next to a cave. Behind it, in a valley, is the old marl pit, which is now filled with water. Thus, a piece of industrial history became a nature reserve. The home of many midwife toads offers a sound spectacle, especially in spring, because the calls of the "Glögglifrösche" sound almost like bells.
The legend of Heidewiibli
Sepp was the son of a miller's family in Lengnau. He was well behaved and had no need to fear anyone because of his strength. One evening when he was dancing in a pub, a new dancer appeared on the stage. She impressed Sepp with her expensive silk dress, and he finally asked her to dance. For Sepp, the dance felt like a flight in a dream. So he accompanied the lady to the Steinböckli in the heathland on a rocky hill. When she said goodbye, she asked Sepp to come back to the same place the next day.
Armed with a bouquet of flowers, Sepp did just that. The beautiful lady then told him the true story: for centuries the mountain had been cursed by her mother because she did not want to separate from her poor lover. She was only allowed to leave the mountain every hundred years. She would only be released if a good young man followed her into the rocks.
Sepp bravely followed the woman. But when he reached the cave, two dragons rose up and breathed fire. Sepp ran home, completely out of his mind. His heart was so aching out of pity for the beautiful woman that he just lay down in bed and soon died.
Access
There are parking spaces directly next to the cave.
