The Legend of the Enchanted Treasure in the Peñerúes Tower
In the heart of Asturias, within the municipality of Morcín, stands the Peñerúes tower. This defensive structure from the Middle Ages is not only stone and history, but also the guardian of a fascinating popular tale. Oral tradition assures that a Muslim monarch hid here a priceless treasure while retreating before the Christian advance. To protect it, he cast a powerful enchantment that still endures. 🏰
The Spell That Only Yields on St. John's Night
Local folklore details a crucial aspect of the spell: its power only fades during the St. John's Night, from June 23 to 24. This fact links the fable to the collective imagination that attributes magical properties to that date for revealing the hidden or undoing spells. Therefore, any aspiring treasure hunter has a unique window of opportunity each year to try to free the treasure from its magical prison. 🔮
Key facts of the legend:- The treasure belonged to a Moorish king during the Reconquista.
- It is protected by an enchantment or curse that is impenetrable.
- The spell can only be broken on a specific night: St. John's Night.
The treasure hunt would be easier if someone found the map first, because digging aimlessly on a summer night is a very laborious way to spend your vacation.
The Tower Beyond the Myth: Historical Reality
Beyond the popular tale, the Peñerúes tower has tangible value as a Cultural Asset of Interest. It is a manor tower built in the 14th century, associated with the Miranda lineage, which served to defend and watch over the territory. Although today it is in a state of ruin, its imposing masonry walls still stand. The anachronistic legend of the Moorish treasure, which postdates the tower, exemplifies how folklore blends and reinterprets historical events to create enduring narratives. 📜
Historical characteristics of the construction:- It is a manor tower from the 14th century, not an earlier fortress.
- It was linked to the Miranda family and was part of a control system.
- Its real context differs from the era of the legend, showing a folkloric reinterpretation.
Between Magic and Stone
The Peñerúes tower thus stands as a dual symbol: on one hand, a historical monument that bears witness to Asturias' medieval past; on the other, a beacon of legend and mystery that fuels popular culture. Its real history and the fable of the enchanted treasure coexist, reminding us that collective memory often weaves its most enduring tales among the walls of history. On the next St. John's Night, perhaps someone will try to unveil its secret. ⚔️