At the top of a mountain in Northern Spain, there is a supposed gate to the underworld or possibly another dimension. The legend of Porta do Alén and its strange structure continues to be known as the Door to Beyond.
North in Spain on the highest peak of the mountain Serra do Cando there is a strange dolmen construction that looks a lot like a door. The locals have named it Porta do Alén, or the gate to the underworld. According to the legends about this strange place, the Porta do Alén connects our world to the world of spirits.
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Who raised this strange structure, all the way to the top of a mountain, and when did it happen? No one really knows the origin of this mysterious place, but the locals in the region have used it as an altar of all sorts for centuries.
Legends and Folklore Surrounding Porta do Alén
Porta do Alén, also known as the “Door to the Beyond,” has a rich tapestry of legends and folklore woven into its history. Even its origin is disputed, but it is believed that it is most likely human made.
According to local tales, the portal was created by ancient Celtic druids as a passage to the spirit realm. We can find altars, shrines and ancient burials scattered around in Galicia as a reminder of its past.
The Secrets of The Ancient Carnac Stones
Often called France’s Stonehenge, The Carnac Stones in Brittany have puzzled people for millennials as to why they were built. Some ancient burial rites? Perhaps it’s like the legends say and are soldiers turned into stone?
It is said that on certain nights, the veil between the worlds becomes thin, allowing spirits to cross over into our realm through Porta do Alén. These supernatural entities are believed to roam the surrounding area, leaving behind traces of their presence.
The legends surrounding Porta do Alén have also inspired numerous ghost stories and tales of paranormal encounters. The writer Manel Loureiro based his novel, La Puerta on the strange happenings found close to the rocks.
The Supernatural and Spiritual Beliefs Associated with Porta do Alén
Porta do Alén has long been associated with supernatural and spiritual beliefs, attracting individuals who seek a deeper understanding of the metaphysical. Many believe that the portal serves as a gateway to parallel dimensions or otherworldly realms. This notion is supported by countless accounts of strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena reported by those who have visited the site.
For those interested in the occult and esoteric practices, Porta do Alén has become a site of pilgrimage. Spiritual seekers and practitioners of various mystical traditions gather here to perform rituals, meditate, and connect with the energies they believe exist beyond the portal. Whether it’s communing with spirits, seeking inner enlightenment, or simply immersing oneself in the mysterious atmosphere, Porta do Alén offers a unique space for exploration
Santa Compaña the Spanish Wild Hunt
These strange rocks on the top of the mountain have often been connected to legends about the Wild Hunt. The Santa Compaña, or the holy company is the Spanish version of the Wild Hunt found in most European mythologies. The common belief is that a procession of the dead wander through the empty path to the small villages at midnight in white cloaks.
It is said that the living person leading the procession doesn’t remember what happened the night before, but is each night compelled to go wandering as if in a trance in the midnight hours as a curse. It is said that it is especially on two nights were the chances of meeting the procession is higher than other. That is on San Juan (23 to 24 June) and Todos los Santos (October 31 to November 1).
It might be inspired by the celtic of norse wild hunt, but here, the procession is usually led by a person of the church. Even if the souls are not always seen, the scent of the wax candles they carry are smelled in the breeze.
According to the legend, the Santa Compana enters our world and looks for its victims to take with them back to the underworld.
The Ritual by the Stones
Another legend says the place was a place for a huge ritual in ancient times to send evil spirits through the door and back to the underworld.
According to this legend the evil spirits are still waiting right on the other side of the door, ready to be released to our world. This is why the local superstition says to never walk through the gate, as you might get some of the spirits with you on the other side.
The locals and visitors hiking Serra do Cando leave different offerings at the place like food, small objects, plants and notes asking for good luck at the door to the underworld.
There is a particular ritual where if someone wants to speak with the souls of the deceased, they will have to go through the door from north to south. They will give an offering like bread, flower or a lighted candle. Then they have to remain quiet and the wind will grant the answers you seek.
If you don’t follow all of the rules you will lose your voice or health as a punishment. To finish off with the ritual you have to pass through the door again so not to be trapped in the beyond.
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References:
El Monte Seixo y su vía de entrada al más allá en A Lama (Pontevedra)
Ten paranormal places that you can actually visit in Spain
