Moon Mausoleum
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After a gruesome murder at the Teatro Eslava in Madrid, it is said that the ghost of one of the playwrights is haunting the backstage of the theater. Strange sounds and shadows backstage together with the theater’s dark past have made people believe it has been cursed ever since.
After a gruesome murder at the Teatro Eslava in Madrid, it is said that the ghost of one of the playwrights is haunting the backstage of the theater. Strange sounds and shadows backstage together with the theater’s dark past have made people believe it has been cursed ever since.
Spain is known for its rich culture, beautiful architecture and fascinating stories. One of the most interesting stories about Spain are the tales of haunted theaters and their ghosts. From the 16th century to modern times, these theaters have been a source of mystery and intrigue for locals and tourists alike.
Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain
The stories of hauntings in these theaters range from mysterious lights that appear on stage to strange noises heard backstage. While some believe that these are just urban legends, others believe that there is something more to these tales than meets the eye. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, one thing is certain – haunted theaters in Spain will always be a source of fascination and mystery.
Today the Teatro Eslava in Madrid, Spain is used as a nightclub as well as a concert venue that opened in 1981 as a part of the Madrid Movement. It is found between Puerta del Sol and Opera and is therefore in one of the most central spaces in the capital.
In 2020 it closed with everything else and underwent a major renovation. So when it reopened in 2022 it was ready to welcome live musicians, clubbing with dj’s and flamenco dinner shows.
Located on Calle del Arenal, it first opened up as a theater in 1872 and was called Salon Eslava that could house a thousand people. It became a very popular theater that experimented with different genres like Zarzuela, a Spanish musical theater form with spoken dialogue, singing and orchestra.
Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories about haunted theaters like The Mysterious Ghost Stories of The Haunted Dock Street Theater, The Ghost of Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Friendly Ghost Octavia at Den Nationale Scene or The Legend of the Phantom of Opéra Garnier
In the 1920s the theater housed many of the celebrated and much discussed bohemian writers at the time.
In 1922 and 23 there were two playwrights that were fighting over their chance to get their writings on stage. One was Alfonso Vidal y Planas who was described as a bohemian and an unbalanced author. The other playwright, Luis Anton de Olmet from Bilbao came and wanted his play to premiere first. And so the first argument happened.
Alfonso Vidal y Planas was the first to premiere though, but his play was a failure. He was sure that Luis Anton de Olmet had something to do with that and had sabotaged it somehow. So when the play by Luis Anton de Olmet was about to premiere, Alfonso Vidal y Planas showed up to the Teatro Eslava for revenge.
Not only did they argue about the work, they also argued about a woman they were rivals over. Allegedly Luis Anton de Olmet had an affair with Catalina, the wife of Alfonso Vidal y Planas.
According to Alfonso Vidal y Planas he was trying to defend himself when Luis Anton de Olmet was strangling him, and he pulled out his gun and shot him.
Luis Anton de Olmet died of his injuries and Alfonso Vidal y Planas were sentenced to 12 years in prison. He only served three years and continued his writing career until he died in Tijuana, Mexico.
After the murder the theater entered the dark period and didn’t see much success until a few years later when the Argentine star Celia Gamez, one of Spain’s most popular stars in the first half of the 20th century, came and gave the theater new life.
Ever since the murder though, even though the Teatro Eslava continued to host stage performances, it has been considered cursed and it is said that the ghost of has been said the ghost of Luis Anton de Olmet is haunting the place to this day.
It is said that today, his ghost is haunting the upper part of the building and isn’t often seen in the club. He is most seen during the theatrical performances and concerts that remind him of the old times at the Teatro Eslava, the light flickering on and off to show his presence.
The cleaning staff cleaning up after a show and the security by the doors talk about hearing a sad wailing and seeing a shadow passing through the empty and dark corridors.
Teatro Eslava – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre
