Polvoranca

Across the tranquil expanse of what is now Polvoranca Park, whispers of a bygone era linger. Polvoranca, once a bustling village, thrived between the burgeoning towns of Leganés, Alcorcón, and Fuenlabrada. Its story stretches back to the medieval period, its origins shrouded in the mists of time. By 1575, Polvoranca’s fate became intertwined with the Count of Orgaz, who sold his holdings to Licenciado De León and his wife, Ana de Ossorio. This marked the creation of the Polvoranca “mayorazgo,” a system of land inheritance that tied the village’s destiny to the nobility. For generations, Polvoranca’s inhabitants lived under a feudal system. The village nestled along the Recomba and Cantochado streams, sustaining itself through agriculture and livestock. In 1655, the villagers erected the Church of San Pedro, a baroque-style edifice built upon the foundations of a more humble hermitage. Polvoranca, at its peak, boasted a population of around 300. Tragedy struck in the 18th and 19th centuries as disease, linked to the proximity of the rivers, and harsh weather ravaged the community. The simultaneous growth of neighboring towns like Leganés and Fuenlabrada drew residents away, seeking new opportunities. By 1849, Polvoranca became officially absorbed by Leganés, fading into a ghost of its former self. A chilling reputation clung to the abandoned village, with locals referring to Polvoranca as a “cursed place.” Tales of sudden, inexplicable deaths and unsettling noises circulated, cementing its ominous image. Even the renowned Spanish writer Benito Pérez Galdós immortalized Polvoranca in his novel “Nazarín,” capturing the essence of its decline. Today, the park that bears its name has reclaimed some of the land. However, remnants of the old village, like the dilapidated Church of San Pedro, stand as silent witnesses to a forgotten past. A chilling discovery in 2005, during an assessment for the church’s restoration, unearthed human remains within its walls, adding another layer of mystery to Polvoranca’s enduring legacy.