Sometimes history hides behind alleys that go unnoticed by walkers. Who would have thought that just three minutes from the bustling Plaza de Catalunya, in Barcelona, there is a place wrapped in symbolism and arcane magic? Estruc Street, barely visible to the less attentive, is one of those corners that invites you to look beyond the concrete and modernity.
A passage through time
The history of Estruc street dates back to a medieval Barcelona. At that time, the city extended outside its walls, and these surroundings began to form around monasteries and religious buildings. By the 14th century, this labyrinth of roads was already part of Barcelona’s new city walls. The first official mention of this street is given in the court records of 1358. It is here that historian Carolina Zarauza sheds some light on the taxes that were levied on the dwellings there, referring to the tributes that were paid to the crown.
This alley, approximately 200 meters long, bears the name of Astruc Sacanera. But who was this individual? According to Ricard Bru, a contemporary alchemist, Sacanera was known as “the sorcerer”, famous for his use of the escurçonera stone for healing. In fact, the word estruc (or astruc, in Catalan) means “lucky”, or literally, one who enjoys a good star. This denomination extended its use to healers and practitioners of the magical arts.
Healing stone and medieval knowledge
It is said that the escurçonera stone, a blackish rock, had the ability to cure rabies and treat snake bites. During the Middle Ages, techniques that combined botany, astrology and magic were appreciated and respected as vital knowledge. The concept of the witch was not always linked to the diabolical. Rather, these individuals were considered experts in various disciplines, from setting bones to extracting molars to treating the evil eye.
Beyond Astruc, other characters populated this street, such as Bernard Granollacs, who conceived a lunar calendar that helped determine the ideal times for certain medical treatments, such as purges and bloodletting.
Dark secrets behind the magic
Not all stories about the street of Estruc are kind. Sometimes the history becomes disturbing and takes us back to crimes that left deep marks. One of the most shocking incidents was the brutal murder of a family in 1909. An axe attack ended the lives of a married couple and their baby, leaving an indelible mark on the memory of the place.
This shady alley, full of stories and legends, suggests a mixture of light and shadow in every corner. Perhaps this is what makes it so intriguing and captivating. The street of Estruc remains a vestige of time, a place where the mystical and the inevitably human continue to converge in its 200-meter length.
A walk through magic and mystery
For those seeking to discover what lies beyond the superficial layers of history, Carrer d’Estruc is a portal to the Barcelona of the past. A tour of this small alley offers more than one would expect: a glimpse into medieval medical practices, a reflection of life in ancient times, and a glimpse of how humans have tried to heal and understand the world around us.
So the next time you find yourself in the vicinity of Plaça de Catalunya, you might want to take a detour and visit this arcane little corner. Perhaps, if you pay attention, you will also be able to feel the powerful magic that once inhabited its stones, and maybe even hear the whispers of those who walked it centuries ago.
