Villa Volta and the Buckriders – The Cursed House of Efteling
In the folklore of the Low Countries, few tales are as haunting as that of the Buckriders — bands of 18th-century robbers said to have made pacts with the devil. The legend tells of thieves who rode through the night on flying goats, terrorising towns across the Belgian and Dutch borderlands. Their story has since inspired books, films, and one of Europe’s most atmospheric theme park attractions: Villa Volta at Efteling in the Netherlands.
The Legend of the Buckriders
The Buckriders (Bokkenrijders) were said to be highwaymen who pledged their souls to the devil in exchange for supernatural aid. Mounted on spectral goats, they supposedly swept through villages under cover of darkness, leaving fear and chaos in their wake.
Historians believe the real “Buckriders” were small bands of thieves whose crimes were later exaggerated by folklore and superstition. As the story grew, it became a moral tale about greed, guilt, and punishment — themes that continue to echo through modern retellings.
Hugo van den Loonsche Duynen and the Curse of Villa Volta
At the heart of Villa Volta lies a fictionalised version of the Buckrider myth. Its protagonist, Hugo van den Loonsche Duynen, is the leader of the band who dares to plunder a sacred abbey. When he returns home, he finds his mansion cursed by divine wrath — the walls shifting, the floors tilting, and the entire structure appearing to turn upside down.
Guests who enter the attraction step into Hugo’s tormented world, where illusion and motion blur together. The room spins and the surroundings seem to defy gravity, creating the uncanny sensation that the building itself is possessed. Villa Volta combines theatre, mechanical design, and storytelling — a hallmark of European theme park creativity.
Folklore and Funfair Innovation
The blending of old legends with ride technology is central to attractions like Villa Volta. It follows the same tradition that makes Ghost Trains, Funhouses, and Simulators so captivating — experiences that immerse visitors in another world through movement, illusion, and sound.
At We Are Tricycle, we celebrate that balance between folklore and engineering. Our Fairground & Funfair Hire services include themed experiences that draw on stories just like the Buckriders’ — tales of mystery, morality, and imagination brought to life through creative event design.
Creating Themed Experiences Across the UK
We provide bespoke Themed Events and Halloween Fairground Rides throughout the UK, from Lancashire to Fairground Rides & Funfair Attractions For Hire Lancashire, and all Areas We Cover.
Whether you’re building a gothic atmosphere for a seasonal celebration or planning an immersive storytelling experience, our team can supply Fairground Rides, Carnival Decor, and Fairground Side Stalls and Games that capture the drama and spectacle of myths like Villa Volta.
Bringing Myths to Motion
From cursed mansions to mysterious rides, folklore continues to inspire the fairground world. The story of the Buckriders reminds us that behind every spinning room and haunted corridor lies the same goal — to thrill, to surprise, and to tell a story that lasts long after the ride ends.
Discover more about how storytelling shapes our work in How to brand and customise funfair rides, or explore other legends on Funfair and Fairground Urban Legends.