They built it to honor one man, but it's clear they had another in mind.

It's a red sandstone tower, jutting up from the ruins of a much older structure, the

thousand-year-old castle Kifhausen, and if you visit the monument you'll see two different

men on display.

The first set in copper, riding a top of horse, is Emperor William I, who ruled Germany

about a century and a half ago, but at the base of the tower, hidden inside an open air

cave surrounded by terraces for visitors to walk along, is someone older and more legendary,

the 12th century Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa.

He's carved into the back wall of the space, an ancient figure sleeping on a throne with

his beard flowing down past his knees, and he's sleeping because of the legend about him,

a legend that will sound familiar to fans of King Arthur.

They say that Barbarossa isn't really dead, but is simply hidden away under a mountain

in Germany, sleeping until he is needed again.

The king under the mountain legend is a lot more common than most people realize.

Yes, it's a prominent feature at the end of the King Arthur story, but it's also a

legend told about Charlemagne and a handful of other historic leaders.

Why?

Because it speaks of hope.

That while our suffering might be great, it's only temporary, and soon enough, the hero

will return to set things right.

But one story echoes this ancient belief in the returning hero more than any other.

It's not as famous as the rest, but it represents an entire nation oppressed under the thumb

...