The Legend of the Witches of Llers Citadel and the Vampire, Conde Estruch of Catalonia

September 28, 2026

1

Was there an iberian vampire earlier than the European vampire panic in Jap Europe? Who was actually Conde Estruch, the vampire of Catalonia, and what occurred to the witches of Llers Citadel the depend was mentioned to make use of as his lair.

At midnight hills of Catalonia, the place forests cling to historical stone and the chilly Tramuntana del Canigó wind sings, tales about witches and vampires hang-out the outdated ruins nonetheless standing. Just like the supposed haunted ruins of Llers Citadel, situated within the highest a part of the city of the identical title, within the province of Girona near the French border.

Learn Extra: Take a look at all ghostly tales from Spain

Not like many trendy portrayals of the vampire, the legend of Conde Estruch is as mysterious as its origins. Is it an outdated remnant from Catalan lore, or is it truly a contemporary invention constructed on outdated fears?

The Noble Origin of Conde Estruch

Was there an iberian vampire before the European vampire panic in Eastern Europe? Who was really Conde Estruch, the vampire of Catalonia, and what happened to the witches of Llers Castle the count was said to use as his lair. — *Imaginary portrait of King Alfonso II of Aragon (1157-1196)*

Let’s return to what most shops, articles and books inform us at this time in regards to the mysterious and lethal vampire Conde Estruch. In line with Catalan mythology, Conde Estruch was as soon as a nobleman of excessive standing. The depend is usually referred to as Arnald, Guifred or Wilfred Estruch and lived within the twelfth century beneath King Alfons II of Aragon.

The king despatched the aged depend on a mission to Llers Citadel, situated within the Empordà area of Catalonia, to struggle in opposition to paganism and witchcraft. He was killed through the mission to transform the locals on the fort in 1173. Some say it was by witchcraft, cursing him to return again as one thing monstrous. Some say that it was due to his personal sins and lifestyle he didn’t die peacefully, however was become one thing demonic, one thing vampiric.

Quickly after his burial, the villagers started to note eerie indicators. Livestock have been discovered drained of blood with out hint of damage. Crops failed in a single area whereas others thrived. In line with legend, the depend, now returned as a younger man, attacked the villagers, sucking their blood dry. He additionally seduced and impregnated girls who gave delivery to monstrous stillborns.

This went on for years. There are a number of theories about what lastly stopped him. Some say that an aged nun slayed him. Others say it was a Jewish hermit who used historical rituals from the Kabbalah.

The Reality Behind the Fantasy

How a lot of this outdated legend from Catalonia is true although? Did such a depend exist in historical past? Did it even exist in outdated legends? There may be discuss sources from the archives of Ripoll, however what precisely are these sources? In line with writer Salvador Sáinz who revealed his first guide in regards to the vampiric nobleman in 1991. There are these claiming that others have alluded to a vampiric being on this place earlier than, like paperwork in regards to the Jewish hermit who stopped the vampire, courting way back to 1918. However after the lack of paperwork after the damages brought on by the Civil Struggle, it’s laborious to say what’s true anymore. However when the native historian, Antoni Egea Codina went to seek for proof within the 90s, he discovered nothing.

Because the writer himself mentioned in a weblog remark: “I strategy the novel as a fantasy story and I don’t intend to make anybody consider that Estruch existed. There was a legend that within the books was solely 4 traces, no extra, and I gave it an id.” Supply

He additionally wrote on his weblog: I regarded for a narrative set in our homeland and got here throughout the legend of a sure Estruc. Reimagined as Depend Estruch, a personality of my very own invention. Supply

Some variant accounts, corresponding to in well-liked Spanish media, place his actions within the early thirteenth century and depict him collaborating within the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa on July 16, 1212, serving as a knight within the Christian forces led by King Peter II of Aragon in opposition to the Almohad Caliphate. A variant of the legend, which occurred in 1173, claims that Estruch was poisoned by his personal captain, Benach.

The surname Estruch is of Catalan origin, derived from the Latin private title “Astrucus”. It seems in medieval information however with out clear ethnic specificity. It’s nevertheless a standard title among the many medieval jews within the space, however no lord or different individual is linked to this story as of but.

In Occitania at the moment, the Cathar heresy was deeply entrenched and tales about devils, witches and different monsters lurking. The story of the depend does remind about one other catalan story although, that of the evil Depend Arnau, who ended because of a nun.

Learn Extra: The Ghost of Comte Arnau on his Fiery Horse

Was the vampire story truly a creation of fiction from one man slightly than outdated lore from the group?

The Legend of Citadel Llers

What in regards to the fort, if the depend wasn’t actual, what in regards to the lore of the fort? The fort is actual and was from the eleventh century with documentations from 1021. And when the supposed vampire and witch hunt occurred, it coincided with a protracted line of Lords of Llers in additional peaceable occasions than the legend suggests.

This fort was critically broken, first by the explosion of the powder journal, brought on by a spark from a smoker, after which in two bloody battles: the Struggle of the Spanish Succession (1705-1716) and the Nice Struggle (1790-1795).

The worst catastrophe got here with the Civil Struggle. On February 8, 1938, Republican troops have been retreating in direction of the border once they detonated 200 kilos of TNT saved within the church to forestall the ammunition for use. The explosion had devastating results, utterly destroying the city. The drive of the blast was such that solely a big crater remained the place the church had stood. Luckily, the residents have been warned, stopping a bloodbath, though the mayor perished.

The locals have recalled witch myths to the fort, however in line with them, nobody was speaking about vampires till the books have been revealed in 1991. It’s at the moment being restored by the Metropolis Council and tourism is clearly utilizing the vampiric legend that has grown round it.

The Witches of In Llers

However what in regards to the witches of Llers, the legend mentioned to have been round for hundreds of years? Les Garrigues, the world between Llers and Avinyonet de Puigventós, is the setting for a lot of tales of witches. Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, witch hunts on this space have been intense, with trials and executions that left an indelible mark on well-liked tradition.

It’s a place the place the Tramuntana del Canigó blows with nice drive on this place as there aren’t any mountains shielding the city. As quick as 100 km per hour the wind can journey. When the chilly and harsh Tramuntana wind blows, you possibly can hear whispering in regards to the witches who lived and stay in these lands.

The sharp whistle of the wind, in line with well-liked beliefs, was brought on by the fury of those girls. Legend says that the witches of Llers, when angered, brought on quite a few disasters and hailstorms all through the Empordà plain that would destroy the crops. When the hailstorm was brought on by a witch, it was believed that she would depart a strand of hair behind each stone.

It was mentioned that solely the sound of the Figueres bell tower might quell such injury and a particular bell ringing would block their path within the sky. The witches, unwilling to be defeated by the ringing of the bell tower, gathered along with the intention of bringing it down one New Years Eve. The bell ringer, sensing one thing was amiss, climbed the tower to verify that all the things was so as. When he reached the highest, he noticed a swarm of witches driving their broomsticks towards him. He then started to ring the bells incessantly; the noise and the battle have been horrible, however ultimately, the bell ringer managed to defeat the witches. However their assault created a fissure that may stay till the Civil Struggle when the tower got here down.

In line with some authors, like Joan Guillament within the 1976 guide Bruixeria a Catalunya, there have been rumours about witches into the late 1800s. One specific incident occurred to a 72 12 months outdated girl who died in 1878, considered a witch by the villagers, inflicting issues for her 4 daughters and their status.

Spanish Vampirism

So was all of it only a figment of sure folks’s creativeness, or was the iberian vampire truly a collective concept and concern? It appears as with most cultures, the Spanish folks have their tales of vampiric beings.

In Asturia they’ve Guaxa. In Cantabrian they’ve Guajona, a blood-sucking hag from close by Cantabrian folklore identified for preying on sleeping victims with out killing them. Whether or not to deal with the 2 as the identical entity with completely different names is unsure.

Learn Extra: Guajona: The Blood-Thirsty Entity of Iberian Folklore and A Cautionary Story of the Vampiric Guaxa from Asturia

One other Catalan “legend” is that of the Dips, a reputation given to a sort of vampire canine that supposedly existed in meadows situated just a few kilometers south of Reus. It’s even claimed that for that reason there’s a city known as Pratdip.

Learn Extra: El Dip: The Catalan Vampire Hound

A Pale Shadow within the Hills

Immediately the legend of Conde Estruch survives largely in books and within the debate on-line if he was or wasn’t an actual determine. The fort was destroyed within the Spanish Civil Struggle and the historic paperwork in regards to the legend are nonetheless not discovered. Nevertheless, it looks like the legend has simply began to take root. A number of websites serve the story as an outdated legend slightly than a contemporary fiction story. The legend of the catalonian vampire, it appears, is increasing.

Llers celebrates its connection to those tales by the Fes-te Bruixa honest. Within the wild hills of Catalonia, the place mists rise at nightfall and shadows collect the place the trail is misplaced, the story of witches and blood sucking monsters continues to be informed.

Latest Posts

The Legend of the Witches of Llers Citadel and the Vampire, Conde Estruch of Catalonia28. September 2026

Was there an iberian vampire earlier than the European vampire panic in Jap Europe? Who was actually Conde Estruch, the vampire of Catalonia, and what occurred to the witches of Llers Citadel the depend was mentioned to make use of as his lair.
The Haunted Pub Crawl by Dublin25. September 2026

Be a part of a haunted pub crawl by Dublin’s historical streets for ghosts and a pint of Guinness. From plotting revolutionaries to somber writers, these pubs and bars are mentioned to be a spot the place a few of the patrons have been lingering for a very long time.
The Utburd of Børholmen and Erika Larsdatter Bogen: A Haunting and Rip-off That Reached the Courtroom24. September 2026

In 1852, the alleged psychic Erika Larsdatter Bogen, arrived at Børholmen, a small island in western Norway. She claimed that she had discovered the ghost and corpse of the useless youngster, and she or he named the mom who allegedly buried it. However what was the reality?
Most Haunted Locations in Eire23. September 2026

Ghostly whispers within the outdated fort ruins, troopers haunting the bloody battlefields and even the drums of pagan druids nonetheless lingering, Eire is definitely a haunted nation. That is solely a small portion of probably the most haunted locations in Eire and the ghost tales behind them.
The Brown Clad Man Haunting Sande Previous Vicarage22. September 2026

Who’s the ghostly priest in brown, haunting the outdated Vicarage in Sande? Legend says he nonetheless carries guilt for the younger boy he failed that had tragic penalties.
El Dip: The Catalan Vampire Hound21. September 2026

Within the rural mountainside in Catalonia, Spain, there have lengthy been discuss a vampiric beast of a hound that has tormented the livestock and the unlucky individual strolling exterior after darkish. Might this legend be the one the place different iberian vampire legends sprung from?
The Haunting of Caerphilly Citadel – The Girl in Inexperienced and the Hag of Dying18. September 2026

A narrative of doomed lovers and haunted ivy leaves, the Girl in Inexperienced is claimed to hang-out Caerphilly Citadel in Wales along with the spirit of Gwrach-y-Rhibyn, wailing as an omen of demise.
The Haunted Tunnels of Hegra Fortress17. September 2026

After the battles throughout world conflict two, Hegra Fortress was a spot that turned identified to face up to the Germans, though they too ultimately needed to elevate the white flag. After the conflict, folks began to consider that one of many fallen troopers was nonetheless there, wandering the deep and damp tunnels.
Wolfe Tone Sq.: The Hanging Choose Who Might Not Relaxation16. September 2026

In a cemetery become a public park, the Wolfe Tone Sq. is claimed to be haunted by John Toler, one in all Eire’s most haunted man and remembered because the Hanging Choose.
The Cabin Caretaker Nonetheless on the Mountain15. September 2026

The outdated cabin excessive on Hardangervidda, Norway is claimed to be haunted by its very first caretaker. However though Krækkja DNT cabin is claimed to be his everlasting dwelling, it looks like the extra folks visiting, the extra he retreats to the plateau.
Guajona: The Blood-Thirsty Entity of Iberian Folklore14. September 2026

Preying on the blood of the younger one, the vampiric Guajona from northern Spain is claimed to stalk the villages and valleys in Cantabria, thirsting for blood.
Feltrim Hill: The Hellhound and the Haunted Nicely11. September 2026

On the hills the place the final wolves in Eire roamed, ghosts have been noticed on Feltrim Hill, all the time shifting in direction of the sacred spring that have been mentioned to have therapeutic powers.