Tag Archives: spain

Ukategorisert

The Alchemist House in El Call, Barcelona

Leave a comment
Advertisements

An old house in El Call, Barcelona in Spain is said to be the former house of an alchemist. It is said that he cursed the Alchemist House after he was involved in the tragic death of his own daughter. 

In the middle of the Jewish quarter in Barcelona called El Call there is a coffee shop called Satan’s Coffee Corner at the end of the street. This is a seemingly fitting name for what happened in this street many moons ago according to this legend. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Today the building is a part of the Barcelona History Museum designed to show the life of the Jewish community that settled down in Barcelona in the 9th century.

The Jewish Alchemist and his Daughter

Back in the 14th century there was a famous Jewish alchemist living at number 8 of Arc de Sant Ramon del Call. There are still ornaments of a window and a stone arch from this time. 

He had a beautiful daughter who fell in love with a Christian man. The daughter wanted the man to ask for her fathers permission to marry and finally be together, but the man refused as he knew that the father would oppose them being together no matter what and would never give them his approval. 

Or perhaps the man only wanted a fling without the hassle of marriage. In any case, because the daughter saw no future and them being together, she ended the relationship when the man kept refusing to go to her father. This enraged the man though and he decided to get his revenge on her. 

The Revenge of the Alchemist’s Daughter

He went to her father, albeit for a completely different purpose than what she wanted him to. The boy came to him and asked for poison to kill his ex lover. The alchemist was used by people using his skills to give people what they wanted, whether it was a potion for love, for wealth or even death he was happy, or at least willing to make deadly poisons for those that needed and could pay. 

It is said that the alchemist asked the boy if he was giving the poison to a girl or a boy, and the boy said it was a girl. Because of this, the alchemist put the poison in a rose where just a sniff of the flower could kill a person. 

The boy paid for the deadly flower and went his merry way. The alchemist closed up for the day and went upstairs to greet his daughter, not knowing what tragedy he had just created.

The Flower for his Daughter

That night, the Christian man went to the window of the daughter and called out to her. He offered her the rose, pleading for her and saying that he wanted her back, that he loved her and would do anything for her. 

Although she had broken it off with him, she still longed for him and he was saying everything she wanted to hear. That is why she accepted the rose. After smelling the rose just once, she fell to the floor, writhing in pain until she died of her fathers poison. 

The father went to her room in the morning and found her dead by the flower he himself had made and sold. 

The father fled the house and Barcelona. Before he vanished forever, he put a curse on the house he had once called the home to him and his daughter. He was condemning the whole building and for it to bring misfortune to whoever entered it as it had been done to him. According to the legend, some claim to hear the weeping from the girl within the walls of number 8, the former alchemist’s house. 

The Truth of the Alchemist House

Did an alchemist live in this house? Did his daughter actually die by the hand of her Christian boyfriend and his own magic? Perhaps it really happened, perhaps not, the story is nonetheless a good allegory of what happened to jews in Barcelona in this time. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.

The Jews grew in numbers in the city over the years and flourished. Although a strained relationship between the jews and christians throughout the history, their coexistence in Barcelona up until the 14th century wasn’t considered bad. 

That all changed after the black plague came to the Catalan capital in 1348. There were many to blame for this plague, witches, the devil, some even blamed the jews. There was a belief by many that the jews possessed some sort of evil magic and they were dangerous. The king tried to defend the community and even the pope came to the defense at the time to calm down the rumors. But it was too late, because the seed to the hatred was already planted. 

It all culminated in a tragic massacre in 1391. Over 200 jews were murdered in Castellnou. Some were even burned in the streets and the jews had to flee the city, leaving most of their life behind. Their whole community collapsed and most of the buildings, the streets and the homes they had built fell into the hands of the Christians.

The 1391 Massacre: In Barcelona in 1391 there was a riot in the city were they targeted jews on the street and slaughtered them.

The Jewish houses were rebuilt and their mark on the city started to fade away as the shops, homes and people that used to live there now were gone. Only a few houses like the Alchemist House with its accompanying legends remained.  

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

La Casa del Alquimista abre como punto cultural del Call
La Casa del Alquimista | MÓN BARCINO
Haunted and Mysterious Places in Barcelona | 19 Local Legends

Ukategorisert

La Casa de las Sirenas: The Ghostly Wailing Inside the House of Mermaids

Leave a comment
Advertisements

Inside of an old mansion called The House of Mermaids, you can see the shadows of the ghost of a trapped soul and hear the desperate wailing coming from within La Casa de las Sirenas in Seville, Spain. 

As the moon rises over the Spanish city landscape, the old mansions of yesteryear come alive with ghostly apparitions and spectral hauntings. 

From its eerie whispers to its chilling apparitions, La Casa de las Sirenas beckons the curious to unlock its enigmatic history. Join us on a journey as we peel back the layers of time and uncover the spine-tingling tales that have made this mansion infamous. 

Historical background of La Casa de las Sirenas

Seville where we find La Casa de las Sirenas is the capital city of Andalucia. This place is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture, however, beneath its charming facade, lies a darker side – a world of haunted mansions, ghostly apparitions, and spine-chilling tales.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Originally built as a romantic mansion in 1864, La Casa de las Sirenas was a symbol of opulence and grandeur. Its architectural beauty, with its intricate detailing and elegant design, made it a coveted residence for wealthy families. 

La Casa de las Sirenas: The House of the Mermaids in Seville Spain has long been thought to be haunted by a former resident after is was left abandoned for a long time. //Source: CarlosVdeHabsburgo /Wikimedia

The name meaning The House of Mermaids comes from the Egyptian sphinxes at the entrance of the house, with people thinking it looked like sirens from Greek mythology. Although it was a grand house, not many stayed in it for too long and it has always been shrouded in mystery. Why did people leave so quickly? And why do people claim to see people in the windows although it has been abandoned for years?

As the years passed, La Casa de las Sirenas fell into disrepair and was eventually abandoned in the 1980s, but left behind a haunted rumor.

The Haunted Mansion of Mermaids

With the mansion left to decay, especially in the 1970s and 80s, rumors of its haunting began to circulate. People claimed to have seen figures in the windows, heard disembodied voices, and experienced inexplicable phenomena. The allure of the mansion’s haunting history drew paranormal investigators, thrill-seekers, and curious individuals who were eager to uncover its secrets.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses

One of the most chilling accounts of paranormal activity at La Casa de las Sirenas is the sighting of figures in the windows. Visitors have reported seeing shadowy apparitions peering out from the dilapidated mansion, their presence sending shivers down their spines. The figures appear and disappear without a trace, leaving witnesses questioning their own sanity.

Another eerie phenomenon reported by those who have ventured into the mansion is the sound of a terrible wailing. The chilling cries reverberate through the halls, creating an atmosphere of unease and dread. Some believe these mournful sounds are the echoes of a tragic event that unfolded within the mansion’s walls, forever imprinted on the fabric of its existence.

The Imprisoned Ghost Still Haunting the Mansion

Who this ghost inside of La Casa de las Sirenas is supposed to be is unclear, but many claim the ghost is one of the descendants of the Portilla family that owned the house once upon the time before leaving it to decay in the 1950s. 

Haunted House: In the La Casa de las Sirenas people have claimed to have seen ghosts and figures in the windows when there was no one home and living there. //Source: CarlosVdeHabsburgo /Wikimedia

According to legend the son of the family was confined to the house because of being homosexual and they tried to cut him off from the world from a young age. Some say that the confinement was by himself as he didnt’ want to live like this and punished himself by locking himself up. 

Another version of the legend is that the family physically tied him up and shut him inside so as not let his sin be known and come to life. How he died is up for debate. Was it by natural causes or by someone’s hand? In any case, it is said that the ghost haunting this house is him. 

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

La Casa de las Sirenas: el secreto que se esconde entre sus cuatro paredes – El Patio Colorao
La Casa de las Sirenas: la historia del palacio encantado de la Alameda – Sevilla Secreta
Casa de las Sirenas (The House of Mermaids) | Turismo de la Provincia de SevillaRoad trip through the gloomiest haunted houses in Spain

Ukategorisert

The Poltergeist of Madrid’s Haunted Antique Store: El Baúl del Monje

Leave a comment
Advertisements

In Madrid in the 90s, there was an old antique store that were the place of strange things. The owner thought his shop Baúl del Monje was haunted by a possible poltergeist, and the investigation in this case drew a lot of attention from the public.

El Baúl del Monje was an antiques store in Madrid in Spain known for being the focus of alleged paranormal phenomena of great intensity during the 1990s. The Antique shop name means Monk’s Truck and the phenomena were investigated by the Hepta Group that investigated a lot of the well known haunted locations in Spain. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Could it really be that the old shop was haunted by a poltergeist?

Poltergeists have been a topic of interest for centuries. These entities are known for causing physical disturbances such as inexplicable noises, movement of inanimate objects, and even materialization of objects. The term poltergeist is derived from the German words “poltern,” meaning to make noise, and “geist,” meaning ghost. These entities are often associated with haunted places, and Madrid’s Baúl del Monje is one such location.

The Haunting Starts in the Shop

The phenomena registered prior to the arrival of the Hepta paranormal investigation group were described as aggressive, of great intensity, and very frequent by the staff working in the shop as well as its customers. 

The building where the events took place was located at number 10, Marqués de Monasterio street, in the central Justicia neighborhood, a short distance from Paseo de Recoletos and was said to have started in March in 1998. 

Read more: Check out more poltergeist stories like The Poltergeist of Greyfriars Kirkyard or The Ghosts that Drove the Villagers of La Cornudilla out of Town.

Witnesses reported seeing objects move by themselves, hearing unexplained noises, and feeling a sense of unease within the store. Some even claimed to have seen apparitions and materializations of objects. These events occurred on a daily basis and were of great intensity, causing concern among both customers and employees.

The owner of the shop, Noel, told this to the radio station: “one of the things that happens the most is that objects fall without anyone touching them. Sometimes figures are seen, other times they are noises, real, and then, however, there is nothing to justify them”.

Paranormal Investigation

The owner, Noel, called after someone that could help him with the strange things happening in his shop. Upon the arrival of the Hepta group in February 1999, they began a short series of investigations that yielded the same results. 

Even the paranormal investigators were shaken as they too experienced some of the strange and unexplainable things:

Poltergeist Activity: One of the phenomenon that the shop had was the flying chairs they claimed happened. This is a picture they allegedly took of what happened in 1999.//Source: Wikimedia

The lamps began to move by themselves. For example, the crystalline ornaments that hang from them appeared in other rooms. They jumped in front of your eyes or directly broke. The taps opened on their own, sometimes it seemed as if a crockery had fallen on the floor and many other times a rotten smell arose that transformed into an incredible scent of roses. It emerged from the rooms and impregnated some furniture. She smelled like burnt hair inside one of the closets.

They also experienced a rotten smell that turned into an intense aroma of roses coming from the ground. The taps in the building kept opening by themselves and candles lit themselves up. It was almost always happening at the same time, close to closing time. 

According to the explanation of the Hepta Group, the phenomena were of a poltergeist nature and were unconsciously caused by the affected person and owner Noel himself. The owner had problems with events like this in other places where he had conducted businesses. 

The Unsettling Events in Baúl del Monje

The Hepta Group’s investigations uncovered some unsettling findings. According to the researchers, faithful to parapsychology, everything could have been triggered by some dramatic events that happened in that same place years ago. 

A lawyer died from smoke inhalation after the gas from the stove had escaped. In some versions he fell asleep with a cigarette in the bed. This could have been the trigger for the poltergeist activity. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.

Some claimed that it had to be one of the old objects in the shop that surely had to be cursed. 

Despite the investigations, the mystery of the old antique store remains unsolved. The explanation to the HEpta Group was that the phenomena was unconsciously caused by the affected person and the owner of the shop, Noel. 

The phenomena started to happen less frequently until it disappeared completely. Noel felt that the alleged poltergeist left the premises soon as he believed that it negatively affected his sales. 

The phenomena were of such intensity that they left a lasting impression on those who witnessed them. Today, the premises are occupied by a private residence, and there have been no reports of unusual events since.

Have a look at some of the photage and the Hepta group investigated the case.

Conclusion of the Haunted Shop

The events that took place in Baúl del Monje remain a haunting mystery. The poltergeist activity that occurred within its walls was of great intensity and left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. The Hepta Group’s investigations provided some insight into the nature of the phenomena, but the cause of the activity remains unknown.

Poltergeist hauntings have been tried documented throughout history, and Baúl del Monje is just one such location. The unexplained events that occurred within its walls serve as a reminder of the mysteries that surround our world. While we may never know the true cause of the phenomena that occurred in Baúl del Monje, it is a testament to the power of the unknown and the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding.

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

El Baúl del Monje – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
Los fenómenos paranormales de “El Baúl del Monje”
El caso poltergeist del anticuario «Baúl del Monje»The poltergeist case of the antique dealer “Baúl del Monje”. El pensante. Recuperado el día 12 de julio de 2023.

Ukategorisert

Exploring the Haunting Legend of El Coco

Leave a comment
Advertisements

The Spanish legend of El Coco frightened children and was used by parents to make their children go to sleep. But what really was behind the horrible legend about the child devouring monster that would come for you?

Go to sleep child,
go to sleep now,
the coconut is coming
and it will eat you

Many Spanish parents spook their children by cautioning them about El Coco, a Boogeyman monster who snatches children away if they misbehave or refuse to sleep. It has also been associated with a horrible crime that was like a manifestation of the old legend. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Parents warn their children of El Coco using the popular rhyme, “Duermete niño, duermete ya, que viene El Coco y te comerá.” (“Sleep child, sleep now, or else Coco will come and eat you.”

Origins and Cultural Variations of the El Coco Legend

The legend of El Coco has its roots in Galician Spanish and Portuguese folklore, but it has spread to various countries and cultures around the world, each with their own unique variations. 

In Spain, El Coco is often depicted as a dark, shadowy figure lurking in the night. Some say that he appears on moonless nights and puts lying children in a sack and turns them into soap.

Other cultures have their own versions of the legend, such as the Bogeyman in English-speaking countries and the Sack Man in France.

El Coco: Francisco de Goya illustrated, Que viene el coco (Here Comes the Bogey-Man), published 1799.

The origins of the legend can be traced back to the 17th century when the first lullabies were written down, where parents would use stories of monsters and boogeymen to frighten their children into behaving. These cautionary tales served as a way to instill discipline and obedience in children, as they believed that the threat of El Coco would keep them in line. 

Over time, the legend evolved and became deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of various cultures. And with time, the tale of Coco spread to Latin America that also put their own touch on the legend. 

Terrifying Tales and Encounters with El Coco

Throughout history, there have been numerous chilling tales and alleged encounters with El Coco. These stories have been passed down from generation to generation, fueling the fear and fascination surrounding the legend. One such tale recounts the story of a young boy who was abducted by El Coco and never seen again. The boy’s parents claimed to have seen a dark figure with glowing eyes and a black cloth bag lurking outside their home on the night of the abduction.

Perhaps the most terrifying thing about this is that it is well in with a horrible real crime that happened to a child. 

The Real El Coco Francisco Ortega

A real person that has been associated with El Coco was Francisco Ortega. In 1910 he lived in Gador in Spain with no family, alone in his house. He had tuberculosis and was near death. 

At the time there was no cure for tuberculosis, but Ortega didn’t want to die. He went to a healer called Francisco Leona that also practices black magic. He told Ortega he needed the blood of a child and 3000 reais to pay the healer. 

They kidnapped a seven year old named Bernando from his house and put him in a sack. Leon cut the child’s heart out with a knife and crushed his head with a rock. They drank his blood, put his heart in a jar and used his body to make a medical paste. 

Leona got rid of the body with the help of Julio. But Julio didn’t receive any payments so he went to the police and turned them in. They were all arrested and sentenced to death. 

The Goodnight Story El Coco

The legend of El Coco is a haunting tale that has been passed down through generations, instilling fear and fascination in children and adults alike. Its origins in Spanish folklore have spread to various cultures, each with their own unique variations of the legend. Throughout history, there have been terrifying tales and alleged encounters with El Coco, fueling the fear and intrigue surrounding the creature.

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

Crime of Gádor – Wikipedia
Simple Stories in Spanish: La Leyenda del Coco
Coco (folklore) – Wikipedia
La Leyenda del Coco

Ukategorisert

The Ghost and Aliens Close to the Military Base in Andalucía

1 Comment
Advertisements

A trail of ghost children passing the road, the sight of a shining woman in the middle of the road are just some of the strange tales about the haunted stretch of road close to a military base in Andalucía. 

Over the course of 19 years people claimed to see strange apparition on the stretch of road from Seville to Moron de la Frontera in Andalucía. It was built to connect the towns of Arahal, Utrera, Montellano and the Moron air base and strange things are said to happen here in the dead of the night. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

There is not only one ghost story connected to this place, but several. And the ghost stories told about this place is not even the strangest thing told about this stretch of road. 

The Ghost of Children Crossing the Road

Some of the strange apparition seen along this road is what appears to be the ghosts of school children. 

Drivers along this road saw lines of children wearing what looked like school uniforms as they were crossing the road while holding hands before they suddenly vanished into thin air.

This was told by 4 young people in a car when one night 20 years ago a man jumped out from the ditch and stopped the traffic in the middle of the night by standing in the middle of the road to let the ghost children pass. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Roads all around the world.

A line of children, boys and girls holding hands dressed in their school uniforms appeared. They crossed the road and disappeared without a trace. 

If there have been a particular accident involving young school children that ended their life in a car accident is unclear. However, the legend about the ghost children crossing the road had been told for years now and has cemented itself as a part of the road lore. 

There has been talk that it used to be a rural school in the place a long time ago, but what happened to it, no one really knows. 

The Shining Woman in the Middle of the Road

Another ghost legend told about the place is what appears like the ghost of a woman. She is said to be appearing in the middle of the road who shines so bright that they first think she is some sort of traffic signal. 

One of the witnesses of this strange thing was seen by Pedro Luque and his wife when they came driving on this road. It was dark and winter and when they approached what they thought was a traffic signal, they realized it was a woman.  

He described her as at least 50 years old tall and skinny, with a serious look on her face like she was scared. 

They didn’t stop for her, but when they passed her on the road and looked in the rearview mirror, she was gone. 

Whether this is some sort of classical vanishing hitchhiker story is likely, but it could also pass as some of the more strange rumors going on about this road. 

UFO’s and Humanoid Figures Close to the Military Base

As mentioned earlier, ghost stories are far from the strangest things people talk about when talking about this road. There have also been talks about seeing UFOs and other otherworldly things here.

Even the military have taken action to investigate the strange things that seemingly keep happening here. 

Read more: Check out the stories about The Haunted Observation Post Rock in War Torn Afghanistan, Conn Barracks Ghosts of Nazi Soldiers and Bloody Nurses and The Lingering Presence of a Nazi Ghost at Skaugum for more ghost stories about haunted military bases.

A fair point about the strange things happening around these parts have been attributed to the proximity to the military base, especially since it is close to the base of the secretive Spanish air force in Moron. 

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

Misterios de Sevilla: niños espectrales y terror en la carretera

Los 10 tramos de carretera más misteriosos de España

Driving the 10 most haunted roads of Spain

Ukategorisert

The Haunted Ave Maria House in Barcelona

Leave a comment
Advertisements

On the place were the grand Palau Guell now stands, there used to be a more humble building of rental homes known as the Ave Maria House. People passing by would make the cross for safety as the house was also known as the House of Fear and believed to be haunted. 

Spain is home to many old houses, some of which are said to be haunted. From tales of ghostly apparitions, strange noises and unexplained phenomena, these stories have been passed down through generations. In this article we will explore one such haunted house in Spain and uncover its mysteries.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

Prepare to be captivated by the spine-chilling tales that surround the enigmatic Ave Maria House in Barcelona. Nestled within the labyrinthine streets of this ancient city the place became known for its ghostly legends and eerie happenings. 

Before it was built a huge palace was built on the site, there used to be a much humbler building. The now No. 5 house on Nou de la Rambla in Barcelona used to be called The House of the Ave Maria, or more sinister, The House of Fear. Back then it used to stand many rented homes there.

The House of Fear

Locals and passersby would share spine-chilling tales of the unnerving sounds emanating from within its walls. As night fell, lamentations and loud banging would echo through the house, sending shivers down the spines of anyone who dared to venture close. The clanking of chains added to the eerie atmosphere, instilling a sense of dread and fascination in those who crossed its path.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.

The Ave Maria House became a place of legend, where superstition and fear intertwined. To protect themselves from the malevolent forces believed to haunt the house, people passing by would instinctively make the sign of the Cross and recite a Hail Mary prayer. These rituals provided a sense of solace in the face of the unknown, offering some semblance of protection against the supernatural forces that seemed to lurk within.

The haunting tales surrounding the Ave Maria House captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike, fueling curiosity and the desire to uncover the truth behind the enigma. What lay behind those walls? Who or what was responsible for the eerie happenings that sent shivers down the spines of anyone who encountered the house? The answers remained elusive, shrouded in the depths of history and the realm of the paranormal.

The Exorcism of the Ave Maria House

In an attempt to rid the Ave Maria House of its hauntings, an exorcist was called upon to confront the malevolent forces that plagued the house. With prayers and incantations, the exorcist sought to banish the supernatural entities that held the house in their grip. The rituals and prayers continued until the paranormal activity ceased, leaving behind an eerie silence that contrasted with the previous cacophony of ghostly sounds.

Did the exorcism truly put an end to the hauntings, or did it merely suppress the supernatural forces lurking within the Ave Maria House? We don’t really know for sure as most of the homes were evicted when they started to build the palace. 

Some whispered that the spirits remained, lingering in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to once again make their presence known. The mysteries surrounding the house persisted, leaving the curious and the brave to ponder the true nature of the haunting.

The House Today were Palau Guell was built on top of it

As the years passed, the Avemaria House underwent changes that further added to its mystique. Eventually, the house was torn down, making way for a new chapter in its history. A man named Eusebi Guell purchased the plot and built his Palau Guell, a magnificent mansion that still stands today that was designed by Gaudi and built from 1886-1890.

Palau Guell: On the place were the Ave Maria house once stood there now is a palace instead. It is said that the woman living in the house always felt there were something strange going on. Could it be that the haunting continued even after the building itself got knocked down? // Source: Takahiro Hayashi/Flickr

Rumors spread at the time about Eusebi Guell’s wife, Isabel Lopez de Comillas, and her uneasy relationship with the new building. She claimed to hear strange noises, reminiscent of the ghostly sounds that had once plagued the Ave Maria House. Whether these were mere coincidences or a testament to the lingering presence of the supernatural, the whispers added another layer of intrigue to the already enigmatic tale of the haunted abode.

The Enduring Allure of the Ave Maria House

While the house itself may be gone, its mysteries endure, inviting speculation and wonder. What truly happened within those haunted walls? Were the ghostly encounters mere figments of imagination, or did they hold a deeper truth? The Ave Maria House stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the supernatural, reminding us that even in the modern world, there are still mysteries that defy explanation.

As night falls and darkness once again envelopes the streets of Barcelona, the Ave Maria House whispers its secrets to those who listen. Will you be brave enough to venture into the unknown and unravel the enigma surrounding this haunted abode?

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

13 Barcelona Haunted Houses & Places that will creep you out

Ukategorisert

The Haunting Veronica Jaja Urban Legend From Spain

Leave a comment
Advertisements

The urban legend of Veronica Jaja is almost like the Spanish version of Bloody Mary. Say her name three times into the mirror and you will get a visit from the spirit behind the mirror. But why would you risk it as she is mostly there to take your life?

Veronica Jaja…
…Veronica Jaja
Veronica Jaja!

Say this name three times in a dark mirror and see what happens. Perhaps you will fall victim to the urban legend that claims to get the one that plays, dead. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

This urban legend of Veronica Jaja seems to have come up pre internet in the early 20th century shares a lot in common with the Bloody Mary game and legend and is one of the Ghost in the Mirror games that is a legend about a ghost trapped inside of a mirror that can be summoned by uttering its name out loud a number of times.

According to the legend she is summoned after speaking her name 3 times into a mirror. Veronica Jaja will then appear and take your life. She comes as a dark figure and immediately starts to strangle those who summoned her, and she wont stop until she has killed them. 

Those who do survive this ordeal though are said to be haunted by nightmares for their entire life. 

According to the legend, there are plenty that summoned Veronica Jaja for fun, only for it to be the last thing they did. It is said that more than one have been found dead in their bedroom without sign of struggle. 

The Girl who Played with the Occult

But who is this Veronica that is summoned through the mirror? There are variant legends. One of them is that Veronica was a young girl herself that god mixed up in the supernatural. She was a teenage girl that played around with something she shouldn’t have, most often it is said that was a ouija board. 

Through her careless game with the occult she managed to invoke some evil spirits and the next day she was found dead. Because of her lack of respect she became trapped between the world of the living and dead and became the very thing she tried to play around with. 

The Girl with the Beautiful Hair

Another version was that she was a vain girl with wonderful hair she brushed a hundred times every day. All she cared about was her hair, and she loved to stare at it in her mirror.

One day a man hid in her closet to play a prank on the girl with the beautiful hair. When she sat in front of her mirror and brushed her hair, he came out and held her mouth with a handkerchief so she wouldn’t scream. Then he cut off all of her precious hair. 

She was too distraught to look at herself in the mirror without her hair after the attack. Because of her trauma she killed herself. In this version she can be summoned by looking in the mirror while brushing your hair 100 times as you summon her spirit by calling out her name three times. 

Connected with a real case?

The many variations of the Veronica Jaja game can remind a lot of what happened to the real Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro. She was a teenage girl that was found dead in her home without an explanation in 1991 in Madrid, before the growth of the urban legend of Veronica Jaja throughout the 90s. 

According to her parents they blamed it on her fondness of the occult and it was said that she had played the ouija board game not long before her death as a way to contact her friend’s boyfriend that had died in a motorbike accident. 

Seeing that many variations of the urban legend started to circulate in the late 90s, it is highly likely that these two things are connected. It was made into a movie based on her death and strange circumstances around it named: Veronica. 

Veronica Jaja the Witch

There is however, a long history concerning these so-called ghosts in the mirror, and there are those stories that predate the death of Estefanía Gutierrez Lázaro in the 1990s and we did have several stories about the ghost in the mirrors long before the 90s as well. 

In this version her origin is much more vague and a lot older. She is sometimes called a daughter of Satan or a witch that was burned at the stakes centuries ago. 

Some variations of the legend centers around a young woman named Veronica Jaja from northern Spain, who was accused of practicing dark magic and witchcraft and burnt to death for her crimes.

During the Spanish Inquisition, thousands of men and women were accused of practicing witchcraft and sorcery, like in the case of the Basque Witch Trials or the Witches of Zugarramurdi case that happened in Northern Spain. The fear of the supernatural and the unknown led to mass hysteria, with innocent individuals being persecuted and executed.

The witch trials served as a backdrop for the creation of many urban legends, including the Veronica Jaja legend. The tales of witches and their alleged powers became ingrained in the collective consciousness of the Spanish people, giving rise to stories that would be passed down through generations.

Popular Variations and Retellings of the Veronica Jaja Urban Legend

Over the years, the Veronica Jaja urban legend has evolved and taken on various forms. Different versions of the story have emerged, each with its own unique twists and turns. One popular variation of the legend tells that if you say her name 5 times it will make her more powerful and make her appearance more likely to happen. 

There are also those that swear to say her name backwards or in reverse order will also help those that desperately need her. 

Similar Urban Legends from Around the World

While the Veronica Jaja urban legend may be unique to Spain, similar tales can be found in different cultures around the world.

The closest one is probably the Bloody Mary legend, and this too seems to have roots to much older history, tracing back to Tudor times in Britain with the Mary Queen of Scots who were known to have burnt countless people on the stakes to earn her name. But also with this legend, there are now so many variants that sometimes even cross over with each other and it is difficult to claim what came first

In Japan, there is the legend of Hanako-san, a ghostly figure who haunts the school bathrooms. Like Veronica Jaja, Hanako-san is said to appear when summoned, bringing fear and unease to those who dare to invoke her name.

The Ghost in the Mirrors

As we come to the end of our exploration of the Veronica Jaja urban legend, one thing becomes clear – the enduring allure of urban legends. These tales of mystery and intrigue have captivated our imaginations for centuries, allowing us to escape into a world of the unknown. The Veronica Jaja legend, with its dark origins and chilling retellings, continues to fascinate and intrigue, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the human fascination with the supernatural.

So, the next time you find yourself in front of a mirror, take a moment to ponder the mysteries that lie beneath its surface. Who knows what secrets and legends may be waiting to be discovered?

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

https://www.lasprovincias.es/sociedad/leyenda-bloody-mary-veronica-espejo-20211025212425-nt.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lasprovincias.es%2Fsociedad%2Fleyenda-bloody-mary-veronica-espejo-20211025212425-nt.html

Verónica (leyenda urbana) – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Ukategorisert

The Man in Carrer Josep Torres No. 20 that Made a Pact with the Devil

Leave a comment
Advertisements

To end his financial problems, Agustin Atzerias made a pact with the devil. To honor this pact, he adorned his house on Carrer Josep Torres No. 20 with demonic ornaments on the building. 

The history of Carrer Josep Torres No. 20 dates back to the late 19th century when it was constructed by an industrialist named Agustin Atzerias that was about to do some strange things. Atzerias, a man known for his wealth and extravagant lifestyle, faced financial difficulties in 1892 that sent him and his lifestyle crashing down. Legend has it that desperate to regain his fortune, he made a deal with the devil himself.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

According to the rumors, Atzerias sold his soul to the devil himself in exchange for money and riches to get back on his feet. Miraculously, he won the lottery shortly after making this pact and used the newfound wealth to complete the construction of Carrer Josep Torres No. 20.

The Demonic House: The House in Barcelona looks pretty normal from a distance, but if you look closer, you will see that the entire house is decorated in honor of the devil. // Source: Enric/Wikimedia

However, it is said that Atzerias’ success came at a great cost, as the house became a hub of paranormal activity and is to this day a haunted house filled with demonic powers.

The Barcelona Demon House quickly gained a reputation for its eerie occurrences that seemed to concentrate around this address. Locals reported hearing unexplained voices, footsteps echoing through the halls, and witnessing objects moving on their own. Many believe that the demonic ornaments adorning the facade of the house are a testament to the dark forces that reside within.

A Pact with the Devil: Allegedly the house is decorated this way because the owner made a pact with the devil in exchange for money. //Source: Enric/Wikimedia

The Mystery of the Demon House

One cannot help but be intrigued by the peculiar architecture and design of Carrer Josep Torres No. 20. The most striking feature of the house is the row of demon heads adorning its facade. These grotesque sculptures, with their twisted expressions and menacing features, have become an iconic symbol of the Barcelona Demon House.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.

The origins of these demonic ornaments are shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that Atzerias, in his desperation to regain his fortune, invoked the help of dark forces and dedicated the house to the devil. Others believe that the demon heads were merely a reflection of Atzerias’ eccentric personality and fascination with the occult.

The Enduring Allure of Carrer Josep Torres No. 20

Despite the passage of time, the Barcelona Demon House continues to captivate the imaginations of those who dare to explore its dark corners. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, Carrer Josep Torres No. 20 offers a glimpse into a world beyond our own. It serves as a reminder that there are still mysteries left to be unraveled and secrets waiting to be discovered.

The House with the Demonic Art: if you take a stroll down Carrer Josep Torres No. 20 and look up, you can see that the house is decorated with pictures and ornament of the devil. Exactly why, we will never know, but people have claimed that there is a demonic force that haunts the building now. //Source: Enric/Wikimedia

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

Top Haunted and Mysterious Places in Spain | Scariest Places in Spain to Visit

Ukategorisert

The Poltergeist in Carrer Francisco Giner No. 43

Leave a comment
Advertisements

An entire building experienced what they thought to be the works of a poltergeist in 1935 in Carrer Francisco Giner No. 43 in Barcelona. For an entire week they endured the hauntings that no one, not even the authorities could explain. 

Have you ever heard about a house that is so haunted that it scares the living daylights out of the people who live there?  The houses were believed to be haunted by a ghost, or even possibly possessed by a poltergeist, which was seen and felt by many, even the police.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

One of the most famous haunted house stories in Barcelona, Spain was from 1935 when the residents of the building at No. 43 at Carrer Francisco Giner in Barcelona experienced what they thought had to be of the paranormal sorts. 

The building is in a classical Barcelona neighborhood with its narrow alleyways, red toned stone buildings and plants hanging out from the windows and small balconies. But one night the building reached headlines in all of Spain when something unexplainable happened. 

Many of those living in the building claimed they experienced what they thought was the works of a poltergeist-like thing that scared the residents with banging noises on the walls of the building. The furniture was reportedly flying in the air that lasted for days. It has since been known as the first documented poltergeist phenomenon in Catalonia. 

The Night a Poltergeist Came to the Building

On February 10th that year the Montroig i Mondoza family was sleeping soundly when they were awakened by loud bangs against the walls. The oldest son got out of bed to see what was happening. Suddenly the drawers of the cabinets started opening by themselves, flinging themselves violently to the floor. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.

Soon the whole neighborhood on Carrer Francisco Giner woke up to the loud banging noise and the entire building were suddenly witnesses to the strange happenings. They were frightened and called after help from the guards and the night watchman went out in search for the origin of the noise. He couldn’t find anything.

Suddenly the noises stopped and the neighbors went back to bed, confused but tired enough to fall peacefully asleep again, thinking that it was a one time thing they never had to go through again. 

A Series of Hauntings

But the next day it happened again and morning came. When people came back from work it was still going on. 

Mr. Montroig filed a complaint to the police when he came home from work, but when the police came to investigate the matter, they still couldn’t find the reason or the source of the noise. 

Police Investigation: The people in the building reported the strange things going on to the police, and they came to investigate. They soon had to give up as they never found the culprit, or the root of the matter.

The next evening the noise had disappeared and everyone thought that the sounds were over. But then it started again the following night, and according to the residents, and especially the Montroig family, it only got worse.
Inside of their apartment a chair started to levitate in the room. A lamp kept spinning and cutlery floated in the air while the hands of the clock sped up, going crazy.

Some residents of No.43 even claimed to have seen white shadows gliding in the corridors of the building and the temperature suddenly dropped. Not only this, but a violent hailstorm showered the building and the courtyard. 

The people living in the building at Carrer Francisco Giner couldn’t take the haunting any longer and fled the place. Both the police as well as the press came and witnessed what happened as the paranormal activity continued for a week. 

There really is no absolute resolution to this case. The entire Montroig family decided to leave the building and moved away. So did a lot of the other tenants living there. But not much has happened on this quiet street since. 

What Really Happened in Carrer Francisco Giner?

What happened that week no one really knows though and the speculations continue to this day. There is speculation that it was caused because of the teenage son in the Montroig family.  Joan Monroig was ill at the time, and some speculated that this was what attracted the poltergeist to the apartment building. 

What we do know is that spiritualism was a really popular topic at this time, and the people experiencing these strange things quickly concluded for themselves and to the press that it was indeed what was happening. Although we have to give them credit that something really did happen that week the entire building was kept awake by a potential poltergeist.

The police concluded with nothing. Many things that happened could in fact have been recreated by a living human being, like the flying chairs. But what they never managed to answer was the vibrating that seemed to run through the entire building seen by the windows. Even today, the case remains unsolved. 

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

Poltergeist al barri de Gràcia de Barcelona
El primer caso «Polstergeist» documentado en Barcelona
13 Barcelona Haunted Houses & Places that will creep you out
Haunted and Mysterious Places in Barcelona | 19 Local Legends

Ukategorisert

The Haunted La Casa de las Siete Chimeneas

Leave a comment
Advertisements

The house of the seven chimneys, or La Casa de las Siete Chimeneas is one of the most famous haunted houses in Madrid. It is believed to be haunted by a woman that can be seen just floating above the seven chimneys of the estate. 

Have you ever heard the eerie stories of an old haunted house in Spain? For centuries, locals have been telling tales of dark secrets and spectral figures within its walls. It’s no surprise that this mysterious building has become a popular destination for those looking for a thrilling adventure. In this article, we will explore this legendary haunted house and uncover its hidden mysteries.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

The House of the Seven Chimneys, La Casa de las Siete Chimeneas is a building where the Spanish Ministry of Culture is based in Madrid at Plaza del Rey today in Madrid. The name comes from the actual seven chimneys built into the house as well as what they represent according to the legends: The Seven Deadly Sins. 

Who lived in the House of the Seven Chimneys?

It is one of the oldest manors in Madrid and many have lived inside of the walls. There are also several conflicting legends about for whom it was built. 

La Casa de las Siete Chimeneas: The house of the Seven Chimneys in Madrid, Spain has long thought to be haunted by a mysterious woman floating just above the chimneys. //Source: Luis García/wikimedia

One of them claims the house was built by Felipe II for his illegitimate daughter in the 1570s or 80s. Today it is almost in the heart of the city, but back then it was a country house in the outskirts of Madrid surrounded by orchards and gardens, far away from the bustling city life. It was also a perfect place to hide away people. 

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.

It is said that the daughter went crazy being locked up inside of the house and died. Why she died is unspecified, but it is believed that she is now haunting the house. 

The Women in the Chimneys

One of the ghosts also said to haunt the place is a woman that can be seen floating above the seven chimneys. Could it be the ghost of the illegitimate daughter that he supposedly isolated in this house? Or could it perhaps be one of his mistresses?

It is thought that she is the ghost of Elena who was the mistress of King Filipe II. In some versions she was the daughter of one of his knights, perhaps she was both. In this version Elena was actually married to Captain Zapata from the royal army and it was their marital home. He was a man who fell in love with her when he saw her, but had to go fight in the battle of San Quintin straight after the wedding.

He was killed in the battle of Flanders only a couple of weeks after their wedding and it is said that Elena died of grief straight after. In some versions she took her own life in one of the rooms in the house.

The Mistress Murdered by The King

But some claim that this version of her story is wrong and she didn’t die of a broken heart, or by her own hand, but was murdered by the king to hide her secrets. What secrets? Well as her mistress, she knew too much and perhaps a child was proof of infidelity that the King didn’t want left alive. 

It was said she was stabbed and her body hid away. King Felipe opened an investigation that pointed to her father that he was the killer. He ended up committing suicide by hanging himself from the beams in the house. 

Because according to some of the legends inside of the house, it is said she gave birth to a daughter born after she married the captain, but rumors circulated that the daughter actually was the child of the king and he had to stop the rumors. 

The Haunting of Elena

There are many supposed sightings of these ghosts, and most of them come from the bedroom that were thought to have been Elena’s. She is seen appearing in the room before she suddenly vanishes, just like her dead body did according to the stories. 

It was said that a print of Elena’s hand would touch the window at night and a female apparition walked around the house and lit up a torch on the roof between the seven chimneys. It is said that these apparitions continued for many nights 

The Skeletons are Found

At the end of the 19th century they did some renovation to make the building become the headquarters of the Banco de Castilla around 1881. 

During the renovations they found the bones of a woman in the basement together with several coins from the 16th century, the time she was supposed to have lived. This is perhaps when the legends of the unfortunate mistress really took off.  

Many believe today that this is the bones of Elena and that she was murdered to silence her about her affair with the king and the child people believed to be his. 

Other Ghost Legends from the House

The ghost of an illegitimate daughter or a mistress are not the only ghosts that are thought to haunt these halls, or perhaps even the roof. 

There are also said to be the ghost of a butler wandering the house near the entrance door. It is thought he was one of those that died during the Esquilache riot that happened inside of the manor house. 

There is also a creepy legend about a young woman that lived during the time of Felipe II. She died on her wedding night with an old Indian landowner according to legend. It looks like she also had some unfinished business with her king as she was supposedly found with a dagger in her chest in the basement with money from the king scattered around her. 

The Truth of the House of the Seven Chimneys

The truth is that we don’t really know who the woman found in the basement with the bag of coins from this time was. She will remain nameless, her ghost wandering on top of the roof among the seven chimneys

More like this

Newest Posts

References:

Veranos de hasta 0 grados en Griegos, el segundo pueblo más alto de España
Casa de las Siete Chimeneas
Casa SIETE CHIMENEAS y la leyenda de su fantasma | Viajar a Madrid
4 sitios de España en los que pasar una noche de miedo | Placeres
Visiting Spain’s Most Haunted Locations | Right Casa Estates