The tiny mist-shrouded village of Tor has become Spain’s capital of true crime, attracting murder-mystery enthusiasts from around the globe. The village is located in the heart of the Pyrenees, and lies at the foot of a mountain with the same name.
The settlement became notorious after a spate of murders that reached their peak in the 1980s. Villagers had been embroiled in a long standing dispute over land rights, that appeared to have become violent and deadly. The last unsolved murder occurred in 1995, when 70-year-old Josep Montané’s decomposing body was found with an electric cable around his neck.
The grisly discovery was the third killing in 15 years and attracted the attention of a young TV reporter. He published a book about it in 2005 and then realised a smash hit podcast in 2018.
His investigations were later turned into a hugely popular true-crime documentary series last year.
The media spotlight has drawn the village to the attention of unsolved-mystery murder enthusiasts, who come in their droves to visit.
Some even stay at Josep Montané’s to get the full Tor Experience and re-enact the killing, walking around with electric cables hanging from their necks.
Local myth claims the village is cursed and is ruled over by a ghostly guardian whose job is to protect the mountain from those who seek to possess it.
This malign spirit is said to be the cause of the bitter disputes that have riven the community.
Locals say they have often seen strange lights and unexplained sounds at night, which they believe are caused by the spirit.
Beyond the murders and legends, Tor is also a natural site of breathtaking beauty.
The mountain and its surrounding areas offer a wild, untouched and almost impenetrable landscape.
Tor is also a place of a rich biodiversity, whose forests and meadows are home to brown bears and golden eagles, making it a paradise for wildlife watchers.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
