Episode Summary: "La Musara"
Podcast: MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories
Host: Ballen Studios
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "La Musara," MrBallen narrates the eerie tale of a group of friends who venture into the abandoned, supposedly haunted town of La Musara in the mountains of northeastern Spain. This story delves deep into local folklore, mysterious occurrences, and the unsettling disappearance of one of the group members, weaving a narrative that captivates listeners with its blend of suspense and supernatural elements.
The Mushroom Hunting Expedition
The story begins on the afternoon of October 16, 1991, with Enrique Martinez, a 36-year-old botanist, embarking on a mushroom hunting trip with his wife Anna and their friends Jorge and Sofia. Their destination: the remote and deserted town of La Musara, a place steeped in dark legends and ghostly tales.
Mr. Ballin [00:00]: "Today's story is about a group of friends who travel to this supposedly haunted abandoned town up in the mountains in Spain."
Enrique, a resident of the bustling port city of Tarragona, seeks solace in nature, away from his hectic bartending job. Unlike his friend Jorge, who is intrigued by the town's haunted reputation, Enrique is primarily motivated by his passion for collecting the rare bloody milk cap mushrooms, known for their culinary value.
First Impressions of La Musara
Upon arrival, the group is met with the town's grim reality. La Musara, over 900 years old, now stands as a ghostly ruin with only crumbling buildings remaining. The centerpiece is a relatively intact church with a massive steeple, surrounded by an overgrown cemetery and a pond teeming with frogs.
Narrator [00:57]: "La Musara was more than 900 years old, and now it was just a collection of crumbling ruins..."
As they survey the deserted main road, a mist begins to envelop the town—a phenomenon Jorge had researched, noting that La Musara is notorious for being consumed by white mist each night. However, witnessing this during daylight raises unease among the friends.
Encounter with the Sistone
Jorge directs the group towards a peculiar rectangular rock known as the "sistone," believed to harbor dark powers. Historically, Muslim armies passing through La Musara would seek the stone's aid in battles, attributing it with magical properties.
Narrator [02:30]: "The cistone was actually one of the oldest things in all of La Musara... people still said that it contained that kind of magical power."
Defying warnings, Anna volunteers to touch the sistone. After a brief moment of tension, nothing appears to happen, and the group shares a lighthearted laugh.
Anna [07:45]: "...I'll touch it."
However, Enrique perceives subtle changes—frogs near the pond become unnaturally loud, and he catches a fleeting glimpse of a dark figure in one of the church's windows, an apparition that vanishes as quickly as it appeared.
Narrator [10:15]: "Enrique... he saw this thing in the window. And in a second, it was gone."
Despite his unsettling vision, the group's joviality persists, urging Enrique to join in the touch on the stone.
The Disappearance of Enrique Martinez
As Enrique places his hand on the sistone, he experiences a compelling urge to linger, feeling an inexplicable connection to the stone. Eventually, he withdraws, attributing the sensation to his imagination. However, his growing discomfort and the oppressive atmosphere drive him to explore further alone.
Enrique [15:50]: "Get away from the stone. Take your hand away. Get away right now."
Enrique's solitary exploration leads him to the church window once more, where he becomes entranced, seemingly pulled into an unseen force. Anna, noticing his absence, frantically searches for him, only to find him missing and his wicker basket left behind.
Anna [25:10]: "He's gone."
A massive search ensues, but Enrique remains unfound, leaving his friends and authorities baffled by his sudden disappearance.
Historical Backdrop: The Curse of La Musara
MrBallen delves into the dark history that shrouds La Musara, explaining that the town's curse began in October 1873 during a civil war. A beloved general, Serkos, was secretly buried in the town to prevent demoralization among his troops. Rival soldiers, unable to locate him, resorted to desecrating graves in their desperate search.
Jorge [13:23]: "La Musara came to be known as a haunted town... the curse apparently had driven the last few people out."
The brutal discovery of a preserved body, mistakenly believed to be a witch, and the ensuing paranormal events—including incessant frog croaks and mysterious silences—cemented La Musara's haunted reputation, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the 1950s.
The Return and Final Encounter
Three months later, Anna, Sofia, and Jorge return to La Musara in January 1992, driven by Anna's refusal to accept Enrique's disappearance. During their second visit, they witness six robed figures inside the church, seemingly engrossed in a silent ritual. Anna confronts them, only to encounter a faceless entity that stares back ominously.
Anna [34:10]: "Get the hell out of here and have some respect."
As the group attempts to flee, the environment escalates into chaos with loud galloping sounds and intensified frog croaks, heightening their terror. Realizing the peril, they sprint out of La Musara, leaving Enrique's fate unresolved.
Sophia [35:00]: "He's gone."
Enrique remains missing, with no evidence of his whereabouts, and other disappearances in La Musara continue to add to the town's sinister lore.
Conclusion
"La Musara" serves as a gripping exploration of how historical tragedies and local legends intertwine to create a potent narrative of mystery and the supernatural. MrBallen masterfully crafts a story that not only entertains but also invites listeners to ponder the thin veil between reality and the unknown.
Mr. Ballin [35:56]: "They are all based on true events, but we sometimes use pseudonyms to protect the people involved."
The episode concludes with a reflection on the enduring mysteries that linger in abandoned places, leaving the audience to wonder about the true fate of Enrique Martinez and the dark forces that may still haunt La Musara.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Mr. Ballin [00:00]: "Today's story is about a group of friends who travel to this supposedly haunted abandoned town up in the mountains in Spain."
- Enrique [15:50]: "Get away from the stone. Take your hand away. Get away right now."
- Anna [25:10]: "He's gone."
- Jorge [13:23]: "La Musara came to be known as a haunted town... the curse apparently had driven the last few people out."
- Mr. Ballin [35:56]: "They are all based on true events, but we sometimes use pseudonyms to protect the people involved."
Recommendation:
For listeners intrigued by mysterious disappearances and haunted locales, "La Musara" offers a compelling narrative that blends historical context with spine-chilling storytelling. To explore more such enthralling stories, follow the MrBallen Podcast on Amazon Music or your preferred podcast platform.