As part of Europe and its rich history, Spain is no exception when it comes to its abundance of local stories and legends. Let me share with you these 10 fascinating legends from Spain to fuel your wanderlust and help you discover more about the country’s unique culture.

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Famous Legends from Spain

How myths and legends are important to any country?

Discovering local myths and legends is not just about the engaging stories themselves – it’s a unique way to dive deep into a country’s rich cultural heritage, folklore, and historical background. These stories, passed down through generations, preserve national wisdom while reflecting the beliefs and values of a nation. Myths and legends help shape a country’s sense of identity, often embodying the unique characteristics of a region. It is often said that nations can be largely characterized by their national heroes: in Spain, for example, Don Quixote and El Cid are central figures (you can learn more via my list of travel documentaries). These significant characters from local myths and legends subtly reveal what a country stands for, the behaviors it embraces, and the values and aspirations that run through the blood of its people. So, myths and legends aren’t just important – they are essential.

Legends while traveling with kids

While I’ve always had a love for books and stories, my real journey into the world of Spanish legends began thanks to traveling around Spain with my kids. Along with discovering international illustrators and searching for new Spanish children’s books, we started to pay attention to local legends during our trips. Everyone knows that the best way to spark a child’s interest in a new place, castle, or city is to tell an exciting story. And in the process of trying to engage my kids, I rediscovered a passion for legends myself.

Why to enjoy Spanish legends?

Let’s admit it – some dreamy castles, magical forests, fairytale places, haunted spots, and stunning landscapes in Spain feel so otherworldly that they seem to come with their own mystical legend anyway. Yet, when there’s an actual story behind them, carefully passed down from generation to generation over the centuries, it makes traveling to Spain even more exciting. So, if you’re feeling tired of daily duties and routine or simply want to add a mystical twist to your Spain bucket list, let’s dive into the world of magic hidden behind these 10 fascinating legends from Spain.

Best Books about Spanish Legends

While the list of books on Spanish legends isn’t as extensive as that of contemporary Spanish novels, you can still find a few options in English to learn more about the country’s national folktales: Spain Myths and Legends, Romantic Legends Of Spain, Tales of the Alhambra, Legends and Popular Tales of the Basque People, Spanish and Basque Legends, Alicante’s Myths & Legends, and Basque Legends.

If you speak Spanish (or are learning Spanish), there are way more options to dive into the world of Spanish legends: Leyendas que dejan huella, Leyendas de España, Defendiendo España, España embrujada, Leyendas de Barcelona, Andalucía de leyenda, Enigmas y misterios de Toledo, Madrid de Leyenda, Los amantes de Teruel, Leyendas de Galicia, and Cantabria Tierra de Leyendas.

10 Fascinating Spanish Legends you´ll love

1. Lovers of Teruel / Amantes de Teruel

While Teruel may not appear on typical lists of the most romantic honeymoon destinations or even the most romantic cities in Spain, it truly deserves a spot on both. The Mausoleum of the Amantes de Teruel (Lovers of Teruel) is undeniable proof of this. If you’re a fan of Spanish history and culture, you can’t ignore the famous national legend of the Lovers of Teruel, a story that has inspired Spanish artists and poets since the 13th century.

According to the legend, Diego and Isabel were in love from childhood, but Isabel’s wealthy family refused to let her marry Diego because he was not of the same social class. However, they gave Diego five years to build a fortune, and so he left Teruel to seek his fortune. After five years, Diego returned rich, but sadly, Isabel’s family had already arranged her marriage to another man. Refusing to accept this, Diego went to see Isabel and asked for a kiss. Isabel, loyal to her marriage, refused, explaining that she now belonged to another.

If you look closely at the statue of the lovers, you’ll notice that their hands reach out to each other but never actually touch, symbolizing the kiss Isabel denied Diego. The next day, Diego died of heartbreak, and during his funeral, Isabel collapsed and died by his side. The legend claims both died for love. This timeless tale is Spain’s own Romeo and Juliet, and is also considered one of the country’s most iconic love stories.

2. The Legend of The Aqueduct of Segovia

While the Aqueduct of Segovia is one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks and an impressive example of Roman engineering on the Iberian Peninsula, local legend suggests that its creation was more than just a Roman masterpiece – it was the result of a pact with the Devil.

The story goes that there was once a local girl who had to climb the mountain every day, carrying a pitcher full of water. Tired of this daily chore, she made a wish to the Devil, asking him to create a way for her to stop making the long trek. In exchange, the Devil demanded her soul. He agreed to complete the task only if he could finish the aqueduct before the rooster crowed.The Devil began his work, and the girl soon regretted making the deal. As he was about to lay the final stone of the aqueduct, just as the first rays of dawn approached, the rooster crowed. The Devil had failed to complete the aqueduct in time, and the girl’s soul was spared. Today, at the spot where the Devil was thwarted, you can find the Statue of La Virgen de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza, placed in the gap where the final stone should have been.

3. The 9th island in the Canary Islands

With the stunning landscapes of the Canary Islands – such as Masca in Tenerife and the lunar fields of Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote – it’s hard to resist the allure of any legend originating from this beautiful archipelago. One of the most captivating myths in Spain tells the story of a secret 9th island near El Hierro that occasionally rises to the surface, only to disappear once again. Some even claim it can be seen from Spain’s highest peak, Mount Teide, despite the persistent blanket of clouds. The origins of this Spanish legend date back to the 6th century, when the Irish monk Saint Brendan documented his Atlantic explorations. He referred to the 9th island of the Canary Islands as a giant fish that guided him to a magical paradise on Earth. Surprisingly, maps from the 13th century up until 1755 show the existence of this elusive 9th island, but no one has ever been able to prove its reality. Despite this, many sailors throughout history have sworn they’ve glimpsed this mystical land with their own eyes.

4. The Secret Tunnel of the Cordoba´s Mosque

While the Mosque of Cordoba is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain, it is also surrounded by a wealth of intriguing legends, ranging from romantic tales to unsolved mysteries. One of the most fascinating and mysterious stories is that of the Secret Tunnel of Cordoba’s Mosque. Though no concrete evidence has ever been found, many locals believe that a hidden tunnel once connected the palatial city of Medina Azahara to the Mosque-Cathedral. It is said to have been built during the reign of Abderramán III, allowing him to travel directly between the city and the mosque on horseback for his daily prayers. After spending a day in Cordoba, filled with vibrant architecture, secret patios, and quirky corners, I wouldn’t be surprised by any secret tunnels from the time of Moorish Al-Andalus (modern-day Andalusia).

5. Viriato and The enchanted City of Cuenca

One of the places in Spain that is often overlooked by international visitors is the Enchanted City of Cuenca, conveniently located on the road between Madrid and Valencia. It is one of the most unique landmarks in the Cuenca region of central Spain. The Enchanted City is filled with stunning rock formations, sculpted over centuries by ice, wind, and water. Many of the giant outcrops appear to defy the laws of gravity.

According to one local Spanish legend, Viriato, a Lusitanian leader from the nearby town of Segobriga (now home to one of Spain’s most unique Roman ruins), was walking through the Enchanted City with his beloved wife. He was so captivated by the impressive rock formations, especially Tormo Alto, that Viriato expressed a wish to be buried nearby if he died of natural causes, or for his ashes to be scattered in the area if he died in battle. Viriato was ultimately killed by three of his guards, who betrayed him for money. His body was cremated near Tormo Alto, as per his final wish, and his ashes were scattered throughout the Enchanted City. Since then, many witnesses have reported seeing a strange reflection of a bonfire on the rock of Tormo Alto, leading to tales of his lingering spirit in the Enchanted City.

6. The Mermaid of Castro-Urdiales

Another one of Spain’s mysterious legends is the tale of Sirenuca, the mermaid of Castro-Urdiales in Northern Spain. In the mythology of the Cantabria region, there is a unique version of sirens: rather than luring sailors to their doom, they actually helped guide them safely. According to the legend, Sirenuca was a local girl who loved to fish on the dangerous cliffs of Castro-Urdiales, despite her mother’s warnings. So, her mother, deeply concerned, became so emotional that she cursed her daughter, shouting: “¡Así permita el Dios del Cielo que te vuelvas pez!” (“So may the God of Heaven allow you to turn into a fish!”). From that moment on, the beautiful girl was transformed into a mermaid. According to some versions of the legend, lost sailors would hear her singing, a haunting melody that would warn them if they were unknowingly sailing too close to the stunning cliffs of Castro-Urdiales.

7. The Guimar Pyramids

The Guimar Pyramids is a mysterious complex of six pyramids, which is still a source of debate in the Spanish press. The famous Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl believed these were left by Egyptians on their way to America, while the Spanish investigators Cesar Esteban and Antonio Aparicio claimed that the Guimar pyramids were nothing more than an agricultural construction. So, it’s either an agricultural complex or an unrecognized wonder of the world. One way or another, the Guimar Pyramids are a curious place to visit in the Spanish Canary Islands. I also really enjoyed their exhibition dedicated to the pyramids of the world.

8. The Legend of Las Medulas

According to one of the ancient legends of Spain, the breathtaking landscape of Las Médulas was once the site of a fierce battle between the Celts, led by King Medulo, and the Romans, commanded by General Carisio. Carisio, determined to win, pretended to fall in love with Medulo’s daughter, Borenia. King Medulo opposed their union and hid his daughter in one of the local caves. However, the relentless general eventually tracked her down and convinced her that a peace treaty between their nations was the only way for him to publicly declare his love and marry her. While King Medulo was celebrating the end of the war, the Romans betrayed him, killing the king and melting his treasures into golden flakes, which were scattered across the mountains. The next morning, Borenia returned to her village, only to discover the mountains stained with the blood of her people. Realizing that Carisio had deceived her, her tears formed the local Lake Carucedo, one of the most unique lakes in Spain. Some say that Borenia’s silhouette, with her flowing golden hair, sometimes appears along the shores of the lake.

9. Lo Rat Penat of Valencia

Lo Rat Penat is a mysterious bat featured on Valencia’s Coat of Arms, a symbol you might have spotted around the city if you’ve ever visited. This emblem is at the heart of several controversial legends in Spain, with various theories surrounding its origins, most of which are tied to King Jaime I and the Spanish Reconquista (you can learn more via my list of travel documentaries).

According to one version of the legend, the Moors had domesticated bats to help combat the mosquito plague from the nearby Albufera region. A prophet foretold to King Jaime I that as long as bats continued flying over the city, it would never fall. One day, as the king camped outside the city, a bat landed on the top of his tent. Seeing this as a sign of good fortune, Jaime I ordered his soldiers to treat the animal with the utmost care. Later, when Moorish troops launched a surprise attack, the sound of a drum awakened the Christian army. To Jaime I’s astonishment, he discovered that it was not a person but a bat, flapping its wings against the drum, that had alerted the troops. Believing this to be a miraculous omen, the king rewarded the bat by adding its image to Valencia’s Coat of Arms, forever immortalizing Lo Rat Penat as a symbol of protection and good luck for the city.

10. The Legend of Peñon de Ifach

Peñón de Ifach, located in Calpe, is one of the most unique places to visit in the Alicante region. According to one of Spain’s magical legends, the coast of Calpe was once the kingdom of mermaids. In this story, the mermaids’ main activity was enchanting and tricking fish into falling into the nets of local sailors. This secret pact between the mermaids and the fishermen helped maintain peace. However, one day an evil genie began chasing the mermaids and threatened to turn them into stone if they ever came near the fish again. Fearing for their lives, the mermaids stopped helping the fishermen, as promised. The fishermen, believing the mermaids had broken their sacred pact and were now aiding other villages, grew angry. A group of furious fishermen armed with iron spears jumped into the sea, determined to end the mermaids’ supposed betrayal. Desperate, the mermaids called on Neptune, the mighty God of the Seas, for help. Furious at the threat to his favorite creatures, Neptune chased the evil genie and, as he tried to escape the sea, turned him into a stone. This rock is now known today as Peñón de Ifach.

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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