Deep within the woods near Bellver Castle lies the Cova de sa Bruixa Joana. Legend speaks of Joana de Peguera a witch who lived in this cave. She had a cistern and a fig tree nearby. She used them to prepare a dreaded potion.
The Cova de sa Bruixa Joana is more than just a cave. It’s a place where folklore and history intertwine. This is where the legend of Joana de Peguera comes alive. It’s a story of magic healing and a cautionary tale.
One day a hunchbacked boy was sent to gather firewood. He stumbled upon Joana’s cave. He heard singing and peeked inside. Joana and her friends were dancing and singing a curious rhyme: “Monday Tuesday Wednesday three Thursday Friday Saturday six”. The boy was mesmerized.
Joana invited him to join their dance. He took her hand and sang along. As a reward Joana rubbed his hump. It vanished completely. The boy overjoyed rushed home to his mother.
News of the miracle spread. A neighbor’s son also hunchbacked but mean-spirited heard the story. His mother urged him to visit Joana. The boy grudgingly went to the cave. He found Joana and her friends dancing and singing the same rhyme.
He refused to dance. He mocked them calling them witches. Enraged Joana gave him another hump. He left even more grumpy than before. He learned a lesson about kindness.
The Cova de sa Bruixa Joana remains a symbol of Mallorcan folklore. It’s a reminder of the power of both good and bad magic. The cave itself a mysterious place holds secrets from the past. It continues to captivate those who hear its stories. It’s a testament to the enduring power of legend. Its whispers carry echoes of Joana’s magic still felt today near Bellver Castle.