According to legend, he was originally a robber knight with a sinister reputation named Hans von Trotta or von Dratt.
- Christmas culture and tradition
He lived at the end of the 15th century in Berwartstein Castle, now in the Palatinate, not far from Wissembourg. An evil character who spread terror, he terrorised the inhabitants of northern Alsace until his death in 1503. Renamed Hàns Tràpp, he accompanies both Chrìstkìndel and Saint Nicholas in popular imagery.
A resurgence of ancient popular beliefs, Hàns Tràpp represents winter accompanied by a procession of shadows from the other world.
