The Ghost of Comte Arnau on his Fiery Horse

According to this Barcelonian legend, there is the ghost of Comte Arnau that is cursed to roam the world in his afterlife because of his sins as a cruel ruler and stealing the dead body of a nun that he had seduced.

Spain, known for its rich folklore and legends, is home to many tales of ghostly apparitions and haunted locations. Among these stories, one of the most enduring and spine-chilling is that of Comte Arnau’s ghost. According to local lore, Comte Arnau was a feudal lord in the 14th century, known for his dark deeds and sinister reputation.

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

The legend of Comte Arnau has been passed down through generations in Catalan mythology and is the subject of a classic Catalan ballad from the 16th century Cançó del comte l’Arnau. According to the legend, he was a nobleman from Ripolles and only known for his cruelty.

Those who claimed to have encountered his spectral presence describe a feeling of unease and dread, as if they are being watched by an otherworldly force. But who was Comte Arnau, and what led to his eternal damnation?

The Remains of the Mataplana Castle

There are different theories about where the story about the Comte Arnau came from and where he resided and was a lord of. One of the theories is from the Mataplana Castle.

According to this Barcelonian legend, there is the ghost of Comte Arnau that is cursed to roam the world in his afterlife because of his sins as a cruel ruler and stealing the dead body of a nun that he had seduced. — **Mataplana Castle:** The ruins of the castle were Comte Arnau was thought to live. // Source: Enric/wikimedia

Located in the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees, this medieval fortress served as the seat of power for the Arnau family according to the legends, as it was for a long time lost.

They have found remains of a castle built in the 12th century that seems like there really was a real Romanesque castle attached to the legend. Nowadays only the chapel and the remains of the castle can be see by the naked eye but next to it underground there is a whole neighbourhood just waiting for a full excavation.

If there really was a lord like Comte Arnau there though is highly speculative. We know that in the 14th century it became the residence of Count Artau of Pallars. He was for a long time thought to be the mythic character of Count Arnau.

History of the Virgin Chapel and the Montgrony Sanctuary

In the heart of the Pyrenees, nestled among the rugged mountains, lies the Montgrony Sanctuary. This sacred site has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, drawing devout worshippers and curious visitors alike. At the heart of the sanctuary stands the Virgin Chapel, a small stone building that holds a deep spiritual significance.

He was not a reliable lord and he abused his power whenever he could. For example he had promised his workers that they would get a bag of wheat for every step they built up to the Virgin Chapel and the Montgrony Sanctuary. The workers completed the steps, but the count didn’t hold his promise and didn’t pay them.

The Dark Deeds of Comte Arnau

Comte Arnau was a man of wealth and power, ruling over his lands with an iron fist. But beneath his noble facade lay a twisted and depraved nature, driven by his insatiable desires.He was set up for an arranged marriage with a 15 year old girl he didn’t find attractive. Twice her age, he sought other women.

One of Comte Arnau’s most notorious acts was his seduction of the abbess of the Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery. The young abbess, innocent and naive, fell under his spell, unable to resist his advances. Their illicit affair continued in secret, until tragedy struck and she died.

It is said that during a violent storm, Comte Arnau decided to steal the body of the abbess and ride off into the night. As he galloped through the treacherous terrain, his horse lost its footing, sending both rider and corpse hurtling over the edge of a cliff. The fall was fatal, but Comte Arnau’s spirit was not released to the afterlife. Instead, he was condemned to roam the earth as a restless ghost, forever haunted by his dark deeds.

Because of his sins, his soul was damned and he was cursed to ride his horse on stormy nights for all eternity. You can see him followed by a pack of wild dogs, more like hell dogs as they spit fire through their mouths, ears and eyes.

In the song the count visits his wife and daughters, riding a fiery horse after he is condemned and haunts them. He appears at the foot of a grate where she is embroidering and tries to grab her, in order to burn her and make her follow to hell. It is said that the count visited his wife every night for seven whole years. Seven years that was the time that the mourning lasted.

The Ghosts of the Lord

The story of Comte Arnau’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the consequences that await those who give in to their darkest impulses. His ghostly presence in Barcelona is a constant reminder of the sins he committed and the eternal punishment he now endures.