During the Thirty Years' War, several small but ruthless bands of robbers were up to mischief around Herzogenrath and the people were starving. There were only a few super-rich people who lived in abundance. The gangs set out in large numbers to carry out several robberies at the same time. It was said that they had a pact with the devil and roamed the countryside on flying bucks. However, they stole comparatively little and a large proportion of the stolen goods were distributed to the population. The rich didn't like this and the justice system cracked down on buck riders accordingly.

Hundreds were put on trial at Rode Castle in Herzogenrath - the seat of the court at the time. In order to be allowed to pronounce a death sentence, the accused had to confess. The suspects were simply held prisoner in the castle tower for weeks and months and tortured horribly until they saw no other way out.

Highlights along the way:

• ENERGETICON
• Rode Castle
• Wurm Valley
• Rolduc Abbey
• Rimburg Castle
• Carl Alexander Park
• Alsdorf Castle
• Bockreiter locations:
  • St. Maria Himmelfahrt
  • Kleikstraße
  • Bicchenberg and Leohnardsberg gallows
  • Baalsbrugger Mill
  • Paffen House
  • Scherbstrasse
  • St. Willibrord
  • Rolduc Abbey and Rode Castle