With Halloween just a couple of days away, we’ve been discovering Barcelona’s most haunted places. A city with such a vibrant and varied history, Barcelona has long been associated with many myths, legends, and of course ghost stories. Its many dark alleyways, hidden courtyards and ancient buildings, make for the ideal setting for these spooky tales.
From Barcelona’s cursed opera theatre – the Gran Teatre del Liceu, to ghostly singing monks at the Boqueria Market and a house where neighbours and police reported trickery by a poltergeist, here are the most haunted spots in Barcelona.
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Barcelona’s grand old theatre and opera house, which sits on Las Ramblas, is rumoured to be cursed. It is said to have been built on the site where executions were carried out during the Middle Ages, and ever since then has been doomed. Its tragic history does indeed seem to indicate this. In 1861 the theatre was damaged by fire, then in 1893 two bombs were thrown into the stalls during the second act of an opera and 20 people were killed. Just over a century later in 1994, another fire broke out in Liceu, destroying it completely. Although it was rebuilt and opened again in 1999, many people still believe the theatre is cursed and haunted by those who died there.
No. 43 Carrer Francisco Giner
It is said that at number 43 Francisco Giner Street, in the district of Gracia, is one of Barcelona’s most haunted places. Legend says that it was once home to poltergeist who terrorised the neighbours. In 1935, a sick child by the name of Joan Monroig lived in the building and was said to have somehow created a poltergeist and a whole series of paranormal events are said to have occurred there during one week. Residents reported hearing strange banging noises in the night and saw pieces of furniture flying through the air. The police and members of the press were called and also reported seeing these strange occurrences – there are even press articles from the time about these incidents.
Carrer dels Mirallers
Walk down Mirallers Street in the Ribera district, going west from the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and you may just get the feeling you’re being watched. This may be because many believe the street is haunted by demonic spirits. Mirallers street was once home to Jacint Verdaguer – a renowned Catalan poet, who in 1870 decided to become a priest. It is said that Verdaguer began performing exorcisms, and that today the demon spirits are still trapped in the house at number seven Carrer dels Mirallers. Don’t forget look out for the sculpted stone head for a women as you enter the street. Rather than being demonic however, she indicates the fact that a brothel once operated on this street and is closing her eyes in pleasure rather than fear.
Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat
Legend has it that there was once a school of witchcraft on Carrer de la Neu de Sant Cugat, a narrow alley in the heart of the El Born area. Many people reported strange goings on in the area, and in fact many of the school’s students were caught and burned at the stake for their practices.
Carrer de Montcada
Located in El Born, most travellers will visit Carrer Montcada to see the Picasso Museum, however, while you’re there you may want to keep your wits about you as the street is rumoured to be haunted. It is said this street was the site of the murder of Berenguer de Viladamuls, Archbishop of Tarragona in 1194, by the Count of Montcada. Legend has it that the murder was so gruesome, that when the Count finally died, after being exiled, his ghost was forced to wander the street for eternity.
Carrer de la Flor de Lliri
The road to the east of the Santa Caterina Market was home to several inns during the mid-20th century, where travellers used to stop for the night on long journeys. Legend has it that many of these travellers mysteriously disappeared whilst staying there, and were never seen or heard of again. Watch out if you’ve booked a hotel on this street during your stay.
Mercat de la Boqueria
During the day, the historic Boqueria Market on Las Ramblas is packed with tourists choosing fruit shakes and shopping for cheeses, but at night it takes on a very different light, transforming into one of Barcelona’s most haunted places. The market was in fact built over the ruins of the Carmelite Descalços de Sant Josep Convent. The story says that one night a group of ghostly friars appeared and started singing in front of the monks who lived there, before returning to their tombs. Ten days later, on the 25th July 1835, the convent was attacked and all the Carmelite monks were murdered. Ever since then, it is said that on the night of July 25th, you can hear the ghostly sounds of the murdered monks singing in the market.
Plaça Reial
The historic Plaça Reial, just off Las Ramblas is another of the Barcelona’s most haunted places, where ghosts are said to have been sighted. Several people have claimed to have seen the ghost of a sad girl walking around the square at night. She is thought to be the ghost of Francesca de Fiveller i de Bru who died around 200 years ago. She was forced to marry the much older Viceroy of Peru when she was very young because his nephew had left her at the altar.
