The Devil's School in Salamanca
Under a church in Salamanca, legend says, the Devil himself taught magic to seven students at a time. At the end, one of them had to stay forever.
What was reported
The Cueva de Salamanca is the crypt of the old church of San Cebrián, near the university city's ancient walls. Legend says the Devil, disguised as a sacristan, taught the forbidden arts there, magic, astrology and necromancy, to groups of seven students for seven years.
At the end, one of the seven, chosen by lot, had to stay and serve him. The most famous story tells of the Marquis of Villena, who tricked the Devil by hiding in a jar, and escaped, though he left his shadow behind.
Explanations offered
Salamanca had one of Europe's oldest universities, and stories of forbidden learning attached to it. The crypt survives, and it's now open to visitors with a small museum about the legend.
- When
- Told since the Middle Ages
- Where
- Salamanca, Castile and León, Spain
- Witnesses
- Spanish legend
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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