Ermita de San Diego del Monte

The Muro del Diablo, the Devil’s Wall that surrounds the old monastery of San Diego del Monte in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, has been rebuilt and rebuilt over the centuries, but before long its central part has once again fallen into disrepair. Legends say that the devil is behind it, and witches still dance there at night to this day, as the place is conveniently close to the monastery and the contact between the good and evil worlds, symbolized by monks and witches respectively, is important in esoteric rituals. Witch dances were especially popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.

On the other side of the Devil’s Wall is the Llano de las Brujas, or Plain of the Witches, surrounded by heather and eucalyptus trees, with a beautiful panoramic view of La Laguna in the background. According to legends, witches gathered there on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays, especially during Lent, to brag to each other about the evil deeds they had accomplished during the week. The year 1615 is considered the founding year of the San Diego del Monte monastery, but the monastery was finally completed only in 1672.