A SMALL village in northern Spain is said to have been cursed by the Catholic Church more than 500 years ago, with local legends claiming that only the Pope can lift it.
Trasmoz, in Zaragoza, Aragon, has become known for its history of witchcraft, dark magic and strange stories dating back to the Middle Ages.
The village sits near the Moncayo mountains and is home to a ruined castle which has helped fuel its reputation for witches and mysterious rituals.
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But the story behind the alleged curse is believed to have started with a dispute over land and resources rather than anything supernatural.
During the Middle Ages, Trasmoz was not under the direct control of the Church, which caused tensions with the nearby Veruela monastery.
Disagreements over woodland, firewood, taxes and water supplies reportedly led to a growing conflict between the village and the religious community.
According to local legend, the monastery eventually responded by placing a curse on Trasmoz in 1511, allegedly with permission from Pope Julius II, who gave the town the dubious of honour of becoming the only town ever to be excommunicated.
The abbot is said to have used Psalm 108 to curse the village, with the story claiming that only another Pope can reverse it.
More than 500 years later, the curse has supposedly never been lifted. However, the village continues to hold religious ceremonies, including Masses and baptisms.
The village’s castle also played a part in its reputation for witchcraft.
One story claims that counterfeit coins were secretly being produced inside the castle. The sounds of hammering and metalwork at night allegedly led people to believe that witches were carrying out rituals and making potions.
Over the years, the stories became part of Trasmoz’s identity, although it is difficult to separate historical facts from local folklore.
The village’s history also includes real cases of people being targeted because of accusations of witchcraft.
Joaquina Bona Sanchez, known locally as Tia Casca, was accused of witchcraft and killed in 1860 after being blamed for illness and deaths in the village.
A memorial now stands in Trasmoz in her memory, highlighting the consequences that these accusations could have for those targeted.
Today, Trasmoz has embraced its unusual reputation, using its history to attract visitors and keep local traditions alive.
The village holds an annual Witchcraft Fair, featuring traditional remedies, craft stalls and historical re-enactments.
On October 31, the village will also hold its Luz de las Animas celebrations, coinciding with Halloween and the eve of All Saints’ Day.
The programme is expected to include an artisan market, storytelling, children’s face painting, falconry displays and street entertainment.
After dark, the usual streetlights will be switched off, with candles and carved pumpkins illuminating the narrow streets.
The evening will culminate in a candlelit procession known as the procesion de las animas benditas, which winds through the village.
What started as a conflict between a small village and a powerful religious institution has become one of Trasmoz’s most unusual claims to fame, with its alleged curse continuing to attract curious visitors centuries later.
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