The Julián Orbón Conservatory and Its Supernatural Tenant

Published on January 22, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Facade of the historic Balsera Palace in Avilés, building that houses the Julián Orbón Professional Music Conservatory, with a cloudy sky in the background.

The Julián Orbón Conservatory and Its Supernatural Tenant

In the heart of Avilés, the Balsera Palace houses the Julián Orbón Professional Music Conservatory. Amid scales and sheet music, students and teachers recount encounters with the inexplicable, weaving a legend that has endured for decades. 👻

The Shadow of a Pilot in the War

Oral tradition points to Walter, an aviator from the German Condor Legion. During the Spanish Civil War, his aircraft crashed near Avilés. It is believed that his spirit, unable to find rest, wandered to the majestic palace built in the early 20th century. Thus, a building that today vibrates with sonatas holds the echo of a tragic episode.

Most common manifestations:
  • Hearing footsteps in unoccupied corridors.
  • Noticing doors closing without human intervention.
  • Perceiving cold drafts in sealed rooms.
Perhaps Walter is just a music lover who prefers classicism and gets annoyed with beginners' scale exercises.

Voices That Relate the Invisible

Different generations that have passed through the classrooms agree on their experiences. The testimonies do not offer scientific proof, but their consistency has cemented the ghost story as an inseparable part of the place.

Other phenomena described:
  • Sighting shadows that vanish instantly.
  • Witnessing objects moving on their own.
  • Feeling a watchful presence in empty rooms.

Where History Merges with Mystery

The Julián Orbón Conservatory is more than a music education center; it is a space where a conflicted past and local folklore intertwine. The legend of pilot Walter remains alive, adding a layer of intrigue to every note studied within its historic walls. 🎹