The Tower of the Enchanted Ones rises on a hill above the seaside town of Caldas de Estrac in the Maresme region of Catalonia.
The town is full of white houses and warm springs, yet the old tower gives the sunny coast a touch of mystery. It stands like a silent witness to many tales that have passed from one generation to the next.
The tower looks Moorish and sits on a steep slope. Some say it was once used by Muslim guards. Others believe it was a lookout for Christian soldiers who kept watch for pirates. In truth, its greatest fame comes from the stories and superstitions that surround it, rather than from any confirmed chapter of history.
The Enchanted Shadow
One of the oldest tales is known as the Enchanted Shadow. Villagers claim that on Saint John’s Day, when the sky is perfectly clear, the tower casts a long dark shape that reaches as far as the square in Mataró. The shadow appears only for a brief moment before fading. People have argued for centuries over what it means. Some take it as a blessing. Others feel it is a reminder that the tower keeps secrets within its walls.
Another story speaks of a hidden passage beneath the hill. It is said to run from the tower to the sea and may have served as an escape route during times of danger. Fishermen still talk about strange sounds and faint lights along the shore during storms, as if something is moving through the old tunnel.
The Tower of the Enchanted Ones
The tower is called the Tower of the Enchanted Ones, La Torre dels Encantats, because of many accounts of voices, music and laughter heard after midnight. Long ago, people believed that enchanted spirits held feasts there under the moon. A group of brave young men once climbed up to see what caused the strange lights. The story claims that the spirits rose from the ground and pulled them below the earth. They were never seen again. Since that time, few locals have chosen to visit the tower after dark.
One of the most cherished legends tells of a poor village girl who disappeared one night and returned years later with fine clothes and more treasure than she could carry. She explained that she had been sitting on the hillside when a great eagle swept down, lifted her gently, and set her in the courtyard of the tower. The eagle changed into a handsome prince who revealed that he lived under a curse cast by a wicked magician. He became human only when inside the tower. His freedom, he said, depended on a pure hearted maiden who agreed to live there until a white dove kissed her lips.
The girl felt sympathy for him and agreed. Life in the tower was peaceful and filled with comforts. Each day she found new jewels and gold. One morning a white dove flew in, landed on her shoulder and touched her lips. The air filled with light and thunder. The prince stood before her freed at last. Beside him was a young princess who had been trapped in the form of the dove. The pair blessed the girl and filled her arms with silver and gold. When she went home she brought prosperity to her family, and the tower became forever linked with tales of enchantment.
Mystical figures
Another legend tells of a Water Woman, one of the mystical figures of Catalan folklore, who lived for a time within the tower. Locals said they saw her on moonlit nights either on the roof or bathing in the sea, with a white gown and a silver star on her brow. Her presence was thought to bring misfortune. Crops failed and hunger spread whenever she appeared. The villagers considered pulling down the tower to drive her away, but a wise old man advised patience. He approached her with respect and she listened.
To show goodwill, she struck the mountain with a silver wand and said that a river of silver flowed beneath the rock. She would open it to bring prosperity. The mountain cracked open and warm healing waters poured out. These became the springs that today bring visitors to Caldas de Estrac.
The Tower of the Enchanted Ones still stands, part ruin.
