It is the most esoteric street in Barcelona, due to its history and because whoever enters it will observe strange symbols in the numbering of the houses. It is very narrow and connects Fontanella with Comtal street. It is steep because it crosses what is known as the Barcelona Step, a cliff-shaped gap that divides the Barcelona plain from Trinitat to Plaza Universitat and which is still perceptible at some points. It is called Calle Estruch and its name has to do with a kind of sorcerer who lived there in the Middle Ages.
Two murals, one at each end of the street, explain its legend, full of arcane symbols related to magic and esotericism in general. They can also be seen in the ceramic pieces that number each of the farms and that make it a thematic street of witchcraft and hermeticism. Thus, the numbers are embedded in circles with symbols and words such as Tetragrammation, Emmanuel, Jehovah and Jaleh, among others.
The author of these intriguing inscriptions and symbols is Ricard Bru, who qualifies as an alchemist and medium, who in the 1980s requested and received permission to commemorate the history of the street with this unique decoration. But the history of the street and its relationship with esoteric sciences goes back centuries. Legend has it that in the 15th century an astrologer and sorcerer known as Astruc Sacanera lived on this street. Hence the name, although it is known that the street was already known as such a century before, which would mean that the family of the alleged sorcerer already resided in the place previously.
The sorcerer Sacanera lived at number 14 of the street and it is said that there he sold the so-called escurçonera stone, which apparently had healing powers and was effective against the bites of vipers and other snakes. He also had abilities to extract teeth and to remove the evil eye. In fact, one of the plaques placed by Bru indicates the house where the stone was sold.
Today there are no witches in Estruch Street and spells have not been practiced for a long time. Well, we suppose, although well thought out, you never know.
