The Kyffhäuser is very much attached with the legend of Barbarossa, which goes back to Frederic the Second, the grandson of Barbarossa. Only in the beginning of the 16th century Barbarossa got his name as the "Emperor of legends". Many poets and writers did their contribution to keep alive the legend for the people. Friedrich Rückert wrote the following poem:

Barbarossa-Gedicht The old Barbarossa, the Emperor Frederic, in a subterranean castle he stays enchanted . He never died he still is living there he has concealed himself went to sleep on his throne. ......... Friedrich Rückert