Elche’s Historic and Haunted Library

In the old town of Elche there is an old library that is said to be haunted. Securitas have claimed to have witness an entire procession of ghost monks wandering through the halls that once used to be a Franciscan Monastery.

The Historic and Haunted Library of Elche has a long and storied history. Originally established as a convent of Franciscan friars in the 16th century, it later served as a charity hospital before being converted into a library in the 18th century. This transformation laid the foundation for the library’s reputation as a place of both knowledge and mystery.

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The library’s location within the historic city center of Elche adds to its significance. Elche itself is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, and the library stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving its past.

The Historic and Haunted Library of Elche is no stranger to tales of paranormal activity. Over the years, numerous stories have circulated about ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena within its walls. One of the most enduring legends is that of the spirit of the monks who once inhabited the library.

According to local folklore, the ghost of a friar roams the library at night, his presence felt by those who dare to venture into the dimly lit corridors. Visitors have reported hearing soft footsteps and murmured prayers, as if the spirit of the friar is still carrying out his duties even in death. Some have even claimed to have seen the apparition of a hooded figure, silently gliding through the shelves, disappearing into thin air.

Haunted Encounters in the Library

One such encounter of the paranormal involved a group of security guards who were stationed at the library during the night shift. They reported strange noises, cold drafts, and flickering lights that seemed to have no logical explanation. Some even claimed to have seen shadowy figures darting in and out of the corners of their vision, and even an entire monastic procession.

On this particular night in the early 1990s, they were making their rounds as usual when one of them heard the sound of chains being dragged on the ground from the courtyard. Later that night, around 3 o’clock, he heard the same again inside of the library. When he went to check, he found piles of books stacked on the table, without anyone having gone inside. He tried to ignore it and went back to work. But then the specter of a ghost monk appeared and he fled from the library, running as fast as he could and spent the rest of the night in his car with his weapon ready, scared to death.

The case reached the press, but the staff of the library was asked to not talk about ghosts and phantoms in the library. Their work was to offer the service of books, not ghost stories. What could it be?

Sure, there are many things that could explain strange things happening in an old building like the library. According to a staff member at the time, it was apparently a rat infestation in the air-went, making strange rattling and scratching sounds. The books could be a prank or just something the security guard forgot about. The wind can also create mystical sounds. But a whole procession of monks?