Witch trials are always fascinating things to hear about and, as it happens, while Salem may be more famous for the trials that plagued her history, Spain was home to the largest witch trial in history. Just find a vacation rental in Basque Country and come discover this dark history.
Between 1609 and 1614, up to 7,000 people were accused of witchcraft in Basque Spain, in Salem only 200 people were accused, though 20 were ultimately executed for the “crime”. Fueled by suspicion from the Spanish Inquisition, due to the men of the region having to leave for months at a time to work, strong folkloric belief in the region, and the arrival of gypsies in the Basque country a sociopolitical climate was born in which scrutiny on women, in particular, was at its height.
Between 1609 and 1614, up to 7,000 people were accused of witchcraft in Basque Spain, in Salem only 200 people were accused, though 20 were ultimately executed for the “crime”. Fueled by suspicion from the Spanish Inquisition, due to the men of the region having to leave for months at a time to work, strong folkloric belief in the region, and the arrival of gypsies in the Basque country a sociopolitical climate was born in which scrutiny on women, in particular, was at its height.
There had been trials and talk of witchcraft in the area since the 1400s and witch trials had been occurring sporadically all across Europe since that time but it came to a head in one particular town in the early 17th century.
At the time, there were reports of a young woman from Zugarramurdi who had the power to fly and strange occult activities being held regularly in a cave near town. As a result, the Spanish government ordered an inquisition. Over 7,000 individual cases of suspected witchcraft were tried in nearby Logroño, largest trial of its kind in history, and 53 individuals were found guilty of practicing witchcraft and executed. Most of the confessions and cases were, however, later dismissed and the incident came to be seen as an atrocity.
Ever since then, Zugarramurdi has been considered the witchcraft centre of Spain and is now home to a Witch Museum, which was opened in 2007. Situated in the building of a former hospital, at the edge of the village, it displays informative videos and artifacts – including Kabbalistic books, dried mandrake roots, witches' garments, goat heads and cauldrons – and, even, shows you how to perform some magical rituals and how to make a potion. The museum also takes part in the annual celebration of the summer solstice held in the nearby caves that were once said to be sites of black magic rituals.
For those interested in the occult and in history, this is one of the most fascinating towns in all of Spain and to see how they have embraced their dark history is a rather extraordinary thing, indeed.
At the time, there were reports of a young woman from Zugarramurdi who had the power to fly and strange occult activities being held regularly in a cave near town. As a result, the Spanish government ordered an inquisition. Over 7,000 individual cases of suspected witchcraft were tried in nearby Logroño, largest trial of its kind in history, and 53 individuals were found guilty of practicing witchcraft and executed. Most of the confessions and cases were, however, later dismissed and the incident came to be seen as an atrocity.
Ever since then, Zugarramurdi has been considered the witchcraft centre of Spain and is now home to a Witch Museum, which was opened in 2007. Situated in the building of a former hospital, at the edge of the village, it displays informative videos and artifacts – including Kabbalistic books, dried mandrake roots, witches' garments, goat heads and cauldrons – and, even, shows you how to perform some magical rituals and how to make a potion. The museum also takes part in the annual celebration of the summer solstice held in the nearby caves that were once said to be sites of black magic rituals.
For those interested in the occult and in history, this is one of the most fascinating towns in all of Spain and to see how they have embraced their dark history is a rather extraordinary thing, indeed.