The Christ of the Lanterns and Its Horror Legend in C贸rdoba
In the heart of C贸rdoba, the Plaza de los Capuchinos houses a famous sculpture: the Christ of the Lanterns. Eight lanterns surround the figure, creating a play of lights and shadows. The local legend claims that when the clock strikes twelve at midnight, a hooded silhouette emerges from the darkness to pray before the image. This event, which many claim to witness, imbues the place with a somber and enigmatic aura 馃懟.
The Midnight Specter
The accounts agree in describing a repetitive phenomenon. The hooded figure makes no sound at all. It approaches the base of the Christ, kneels, and seems to immerse itself in prayer. After a few moments, it vanishes without a trace, as if dissolving into the gloom. Those who claim to see it perceive an abrupt change in the atmosphere: the air cools, and a feeling of respect mixed with unease fills the square.
Key details of the sighting:- Invariable time: It always appears exactly at midnight.
- Hidden appearance: It wears a hooded robe that completely covers its face.
- Ritual behavior: Its only action is to pray intensely, ignoring any witnesses.
The true enigma may not be the ghost, but the reason why someone would choose to pray at midnight in such a cold and solitary place.
Identity and Theories of the Phenomenon
No one knows for sure who or what the apparition is. The oral folklore of C贸rdoba offers several interpretations, none with verifiable historical basis, but all rooted in popular tradition.
Possible origins of the specter:- Restless soul: A popular current suggests it is the spirit of a soldier who lost his life near the square and cannot rest.
- Protective entity: Another version proposes that it is a spectral guardian whose mission is to watch over the sacred sculpture and the peace of the site.
- Persistent legend: The fact that the story is passed down from generation to generation without significant alterations gives it particular weight among the locals.
The Experience of Those Who Witness It
The testimonies provide a uniform description. Beyond the cold and the solemn attitude, they highlight the instantaneity of the disappearance. The figure does not walk away; it simply ceases to be there. This detail, combined with the repetition of the event, fuels the credibility of the legend. For many, it is not just a simple anecdote, but a living element of the city's intangible heritage. The square, a quiet passage site by day, transforms at night into the stage for a centuries-old mystery that remains unsolved.