Krabat is a character in Sorbian folklore, also dubbed the "Wendish Faust". First recorded in 1837, the character developed from an evil sorcerer into a folk hero and beneficial trickster in the course of the 19th to early 20th centuries.
The historical nucleus of the folk tale is Johannes Schadowitz (1624–1704), a Croat (Crabat) cavalry commander, who was granted an estate in Groß Särchen (now part of Lohsa) near Hoyerswerda in 1691 by John George III, Elector of Saxony.
The folk tale is centered around the area of Lusatia, most notably the settlement of Čorny Chołmc, which today is a district of the city of Hoyerswerda, where Krabat is said to have learned his sorcerous powers.
The Krabat story has been adapted into several novels notably:
References
Krabat Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA