THE LEGEND OF THE ENCHANTED
PRINCESS. CÁCERES.
In the XII century,
Cáceres was a big Arab fortress. It was governed by an arrogant and proud
Moorish Kaid.
The
city had many palaces and mansions that were connected together by underground
passages and alleys. Among them, there was a very famous one called “MANSABORÁ”
which lead to the Kaid´s palace.
Alfonso
IX, a Christian King, wanted to reconquer Cáceres and have control over the
Moors. For such a purpose, he sent his
best captain to negotiate with the Kaid. When the captain got to the palace and
saw the beautiful Moorish princess, they both fell in love with each other.
When
the captain was leaving the palace, one of the princess´ maids gave him a
handkerchief. Inside it, there was a message from the princess, inviting him to
go to the “MANSABORÁ” alley at night, where one of her maids would be waiting
to guide him into the palace. In that way they started to meet every night.
But
one day, thinking that it would be good for the Christians, and even for his
love, that wouldn´t have to be a secret anymore, he told his king about the
secret entrance to the palace.
There
was a battle and the Christians won. When the Kaid discovered the reasons for
his defeat, went mad and threw his daughter and her maidens to the “MANSABORÁ”
passage and transformed them into hens. There, as a punishment, they will have
to stay until Cáceres is reconquered by the Moors again. The only night they
can be seen or heard is the 23rd April, St George´s Day.
THE END.
