Dare to listen closely as we stand here at La Laguna Grande. La Gomera whispers tales of old. Tales of witches and rituals, of shadows dancing under the moonlight. This isn’t just a picnic site. It’s a place steeped in legend.
La Laguna Grande. Its history is woven into the very fabric of La Gomera. For generations, stories have been passed down. These stories speak of the island’s unique character and its connection to the supernatural.
In the 18th century, ancient rites persisted in clearings like this one. Locals practiced ancestral customs. The Christian religion later renamed these sacred spaces “bailaderos”. These were places where witches gathered. La Laguna Grande became known as one of these mysterious sites. Imagine it. Night falls. The forest grows dark. This recreational area transforms into something otherworldly.
According to local lore, witches convened around a circle of fifteen stones. Here, they performed rituals and cast incantations. One story tells of a shepherd. He was seeking fresh grass for his cattle. He lingered too long. Darkness enveloped La Laguna Grande.
The shepherd awoke at midnight. Moonlight bathed the clearing. He heard laughter and whispers emanating from the dense forest. Dozens of women emerged. Their hair was loose. They were disheveled. They moved to the center of the clearing. They began calling to the devil. Barefoot, they danced to the rhythm of drums.
The witches danced in pairs. In the circle’s center stood a young woman. Suddenly, darkness fell. A black cloud obscured the moon. Silence descended as the young witch screamed. She invoked the devil. Lightning struck her. It carbonized her in the center of the circle. An owl perched nearby also perished. A chilling wind swirled. It raised the witch’s ashes. They transformed into a supernatural being. It had a hairy body and goat legs. Half man, half animal.
The witches approached this beast. It spoke to them. They laughed. Hours passed. Again, clouds hid the moon. The forest darkened. The shepherd glanced at the sky. Then, he looked back at the clearing’s center. It was deserted.
At dawn, the shepherd rose. He wanted to return home. He believed it had all been a dream. But steps away, he found the dead owl.
La Laguna Grande remains a place of mystery. It is a place where the veil between worlds seems thin. The area has a spooky story for those who are willing to experience chills.
Another legend speaks of a countryman traveling by donkey. The donkey grew agitated. It threw the man to the ground. The donkey ran away. Searching for his animal, the man saw a glow. He heard women’s voices. Cautiously, he approached. He saw women in black dresses dancing around a bonfire. They were performing a ritual with his dead donkey.
The witches sat on stones in a circle. One witch sat in the center. The man stared in disbelief. A hand touched his back. He turned. A witch’s breath brushed his face. He inhaled. Something unusual entered him. The witch said “Everyone who knows our secret, must die.”
The man fled. He didn’t stop until he reached town. He fainted from exhaustion. Neighbors helped him. He couldn’t calm down. He recounted what he’d seen. Hours later, he died. Ever since, locals avoid the forest. If they must pass, they carry a laurel leaf. This is to ward off the witches.
Today, you can visit El Llano de las Brujas, commonly known as La Laguna Grande. It is a surprising place with a spooky story. Fourteen stones form a circle. The grass never grows there.
So, as you explore Garajonay National Park, remember the stories of La Laguna Grande. Remember the witches, the shepherd, and the secrets hidden in the mist. Feel the chill. Hear the whispers. La Gomera’s legends linger in the air around us. They remind us that some places hold mysteries that time cannot erase.