Las Diablas in Valverde de Leganés

La Diabla (the she-devil) has escaped (fugar in Spanish) from the church dungeon and freely roams around Valverde de Leganés, accompanied by her entourage of daemonettes, spreading terror in the dark streets and squares. This event, which takes place amidst fireworks and flares, is repeated every year at the weekend nearest to 15th August and ends when an army of angels is sent by St. Bartholomew, patron saint of Valverde de Leganés, to defeat the she-devil in the bullring and send her back to the dungeon.

The previous day, the 'Night of Los Bartolos' is held (bartolo being a doll made by the townsfolk associations for magical reasons and displayed in the Town Hall Square). That night the magic market is opened and the opening speech is made warning of La Diabla’s imminent escape, in a vain attempt to prevent townsfolk and visitors from being out on the streets of Valverde de Leganés.

At one point of her infernal path, La Diabla chooses the two 'Bartolos' that have been elected by the jury and takes them to the bullring, where one is chosen, the only one that will be saved from being burned.

Las Diablas, a Fiesta of Tourist Interest in Extremadura, reenacts the struggle between good and evil. This celebration, which dates back to the late 19th or early 20th century, had almost disappeared in the 1970s, but thanks to the inhabitants, it has been revived and revitalized.

During the days of the fiesta, Valverde de Leganés schedules activities related with magic, terror and esotericism, such as theatre performances, cinema, concerts, exhibitions and night routes around the town.