The Legend of the Devil's Chair in Valladolid
In the city of Valladolid, an urban legend connects two historic places through a tale of supernatural terror. The core of the story is a wooden chair that, as told, belonged to a professor of Anatomy at the local university during the 19th century. The tradition claims that this professor, in his desperation to preserve cadavers for his classes, decided to make a deal with a dark force. As a result of this pact, the furniture where he sat was marked by a perpetual curse. 👹
Roots of the Myth in the Capilla de los Benavente
The oral narrative frequently intertwines this story with another older legend. In the Capilla de los Benavente, located in Medina de Rioseco, there is talk of an inquisitor who also made a pact with the Devil to obtain forbidden knowledge. Although the settings and protagonists differ, the essence of both chronicles is the same: a man seeks to cross the boundaries of permitted knowledge and resorts to evil entities, sealing the agreement with the act of sitting in his own seat.
Key elements of the connection:- Both legends revolve around a pact with the Devil for knowledge.
- The central object of the pact is, in both stories, a personal chair or piece of furniture.
- The characters are authority figures (professor, inquisitor) associated with knowledge.
A man seeks to know more than permitted and resorts to dark forces, sealing the agreement with his own chair.
The Warning that Persists in the Faculty
The most popular version holds that the cursed chair was preserved in the old Faculty of Medicine. The supposed curse states that anyone who dares to sit in it will die within a period less than a year. This tale has been passed down from generation to generation among the students, who avoid the furniture out of pure superstition. There are no official documents verifying deaths linked to the chair, but the weight of oral tradition keeps the warning firm. 🪑
Theories on the Practical Origin of the Legend:- It may have served to deter curious students from manipulating valuable historic furniture.
- A supernatural warning usually commands more respect than a simple prohibition.
- The story helps preserve heritage through fear and fascination.
The Legacy of a Local Horror Story
The chair legend demonstrates how oral tales can endure and blend history with superstition. Beyond seeking to verify the facts, the narrative functions as an element of urban folklore that enriches the collective imagination of Valladolid. Whether as a protection method for ancient objects or as a story to tell in the dark, its essence transcends the rational and takes root in popular culture, reminding us that sometimes fear is the best guardian. 👻