The Cortijo Jurado, also known as Casa Encantada, is an abandoned mansion that lies just off the A-357 near Campanillas village. It has the reputation of being the most haunted house in Málaga Province, one of the best known ghost places in Spain and a mecca for the followers of paranormal phenomena.

The mansion was built in the 19th century by the influential Heredia family from Málaga, one of Andalucia’s wealthiest families at the time. It was constructed as a cortijo (a type of traditional rural Spanish farmhouse) as part of a plan to convert the farm into a grand agricultural enterprise. The building is a “calendar house” and boasts 365 windows, one for each day of the year. Another intriguing feature of the mansion is its deep basement with a network of  twisting tunnels that allegedly connect it to the nearby Cortijo de Colmenares; current Guadalhorce Golf Club and former residence of the Larios.

It is known in Málaga as The Haunted Mansion not only for its ghostly appearance, but due to numerous reports of mysterious voices and strange sounds that have been heard there without explanation. Some say that they have repeatedly seen a ghost figure materialising in the courtyard and sometimes - in one of the towers. Legend has it that the Heredia family, together with other rich families in the area, kidnapped young girls, aged between 18 and 21, and subjected them to sinister satanic rituals, involving rape and murder. The bodies of their victims are said to be buried deep within the property. Whilst it is true that many young girls did disappear during this period, nothing was ever proven to connect their disappearance to the Heredia family. Many say they used their money and influence to evade justice. Whatever the truth of the matter, paranormal enthusiasts maintain that the pain and suffering that took place within those grim walls have led to inexplicable ghostly phenomena.

For many years now, the estate which is worth 1.4 million Euros has remained abandoned and neglected. Its only visitors are ghost hunters and thrill seekers. There were plans to turn it into a 4-star hotel, but they got stuck in bureaucratic channels and never materialised, only adding to the gloomy reputation of the place.

Sources: Wikipedia, https://www.malagaweb.com/blog/news/cortijo-jurado-malaga/

Photo: Tyk