Barcelona has a mysterious side that doesn’t always appear in travel guides.
Behind its beautiful buildings and narrow streets lie strange symbols, old superstitions and stories that have survived for generations.
With Halloween just around the corner, let’s discover two of Barcelona’s most intriguing tales.
The Skull of Pont del Bisbe: A Curse on Barcelona?
In the heart of the Gothic Quarter stands one of Barcelona’s most photographed landmarks: Pont del Bisbe.
Although it looks medieval, the bridge was built in 1928 by Joan Rubió i Bellver, an architect who worked with Antoni Gaudí.
But there’s something unusual hiding beneath its arch: a skull pierced by a dagger.
According to local folklore, removing the dagger would bring destruction upon Barcelona.
Fortunately, there’s a friendlier superstition too. Some say that walking backwards beneath the bridge, looking up at the skull and making a wish, might bring good luck.
Of course, these are legends, not historical facts. But they certainly make you look at this famous bridge differently.
The Vampire of the Raval: Monster or Urban Legend?
In 1912, Barcelona was shaken by the disappearance of a young girl named Teresita Guitart.
She was eventually found in the home of Enriqueta Martí, a woman who was arrested and soon became known as the Vampire of the Raval.
Rumours spread quickly. People claimed that she kidnapped children, made mysterious ointments from human remains and had connections with influential figures in the city.
Newspapers helped turn the story into something almost supernatural.
But later historical research has questioned many of these accusations. While the disappearance and discovery of the girl were real, the stories of murders and sinister rituals were never proven.
Enriqueta died in prison in 1913, before standing trial.
Perhaps the real mystery is how fear and sensationalism transformed a criminal case into one of Barcelona’s most enduring urban legends.
And this is only the beginning. In Part 2, we’ll discover a street associated with secret kisses and a bell tower supposedly built with the devil’s help.
I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering Barcelona’s mysterious side.
Bye Bye! See you in my next post!
