In any horror movie, the stranger who asks about the town’s curse doesn’t survive the second act. In Trasmouz, the exact opposite happens: the foreigner who arrives asks, pays four euros, and gets a scare with admission. This town of Moncayo, with less than a hundred inhabitants, is excommunicated and celebrated by the only church in Spain. El Embruzo de Trasmoz Cultural Association once again organizes Luz de las Animas, a day that starts at 10:30 and lasts until after midnight.
Punishment for wood and water. The story actually begins in 1255. The abbot of the monastery of Verrella argued with the council over wood from Monte de la Mata. The Trasmose lordship, moreover, did not pay tribute to the monastery. The monastery gets the bishop of Tarazona to excommunicate the people.
Two and a half centuries later came the issue of water: the monks removed the channel supplying the city. His lord, Pedro Manuel Jimenez de Urrea, went to the Cortes of Aragon and Fernando II agreed with him. The monastery responded with a solemn curse, with the permission of Julius II. Tradition says that he covered the crucifix with a black veil, recited Psalm 108 and rang a bell with each phrase. Medieval Papers. Of course, no pope has ever lifted a censure and only another pope can lift an anathema. Therefore, as we already said Xataka, Trasmoz is still technically cursed.
Witches, frauds and the unemployed. The castle also had a reputation for coven. One theory holds that the coin counterfeiters who worked there spread rumors to cover up noises at night. Scooby-Doo version: They weren’t witches, they were fake purses.
In the 1860s, Gustavo Adolfo Baker stayed in Veruela and dedicated three letters to Trasmoz and its castle in his magnificent ‘From My Cell’. There appears Aunt Casca, a witch who, according to legend, was cast down a steeple by neighbors. There you have it, unemployed world building Before the Netflix series.
This is how the night will pass. Let’s go back to 2026. First, it will be pumpkin. At 10:30 they were distributed, emptied and decorated in the Plaza de España. At 4:30 p.m., attendees line their way from the church to the cemetery and light candles. The custom comes from all saints. Earlier, women in black and children in white would walk the streets singing for the deceased. Pumpkins illuminate the passage of souls. This is not an imported Halloween. On the same Saturday, Radiquero (Huesca) will celebrate its own Night of the Souls.
Then the Central Act. At 7:00 pm the procession moved from the church to the cemetery. Participants pray and sing “Joy to the Blessed Soul,” a song retrieved from local traditions. The organization asks for silence and respect, not to turn it into a vulgar party. But at 7.45 pm comes the ‘Stranger Things’ part. That is, “Animated Streets”, a horror tour through the city starting from the town hall. It costs 4 euros. The ticket office opens at 4:00 p.m. And it is advisable to arrive ten minutes earlier.
To restore energy, there is a bean casserole for 7 euros (with a drink and bread) or a hot sandwich for 8. There are beans in the witches’ cauldron for once. During the day there is also falconry, children’s storytelling, face painting and a magician. At 00:15 the quemada closes, with music, wine and liquor provided by the neighbors. Nothing says “we’re cursed” like a blue fire in front of a cauldron, I’m afraid.
However, as I have seen, the fort opens on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. and from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 1, it is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cursed, but by mass. Expulsion has little practical effect. Neighbors continue to hold public celebrations without major disruption. The town deals with curses and the castle has a tower, knight and witchcraft museum, and a witchcraft fair brings together thousands of visitors every summer. Neighbors voted against when an apology to the Vatican was proposed. Why exactly what is famous? A well-managed curse makes for good domestic tourism.
And a curiosity to close: Manuel Jalon, the inventor of the mop, also rested in Trasmo. How many backaches will this save us for an entire generation.
Picture | Flickr (Eduardo Gonzalez Palomar)
In Xataka | Which country burns the most witches? In Spain, despite the Inquisition, “hunting” remained
