In most of the myths and legends that our ancestors have bequeathed to us, it seems that if there is no good drama accompanied by a great tragedy, there cannot be a great love story. And in Mexico they know a lot about this, because love also hurts.
Today you can walk quietly along Calle 5ª de Jesús María, which was the capital of New Spain. However, it will be easier for you to find it if you ask the neighbors for Calle de la Quemada, the name by which it is known due to what happened there in the mid-16th century. And it is that many streets, squares and alleys continue to pay homage, in the 21st century, to events that occurred in them, which are still alive in the cultural and traditional imaginary of Mexicans. It is not in vain that walking through the streets of the historic center is going through stories, secrets and legends with which the heart of Mexico City always beats and that is passed on from generation to generation.
Do you dare to discover this New Mexican legend at the hands of? After reading it you will realize the great danger that jealousy poses for a sentimental relationship…
La Calle de la Quemada: the result of a love poisoned by jealousy
- We travel to the 16th century by the hand of a beautiful young woman of barely 20 years old named Beatriz. Coming from colonial Spain, she crossed the pond accompanied by her father, Gonzalo Espinosa de Guevara, to increase her fortune and enjoy a good position. Beauty and wealth were two ingredients that did not go unnoticed so that the young woman would not lack suitors. But Beatriz, focused on her work of helping those most in need, did not listen to the siren songs of love.
- The gentlemen fell captivated by Beatriz’s nobility and found it difficult to look away from the harmony of her angelic face, just as they proclaimed her goodness and charity to the four winds. Not a few were broken hearts. But there are no walls, which in the absence of a good siege, end up surrendered and conquered. The lucky one of her was the Italian Martín de Scúpoli, Marquis of Piedmont, who did not hesitate to woo and entertain her until he took possession of the young woman’s heart.
- Days of happiness and peace reigned. But there was still a tough test to overcome. Over time, the Italian’s jealousy grew every day. He to the point of keeping watch every night under the balcony of her beloved so that no suitor could approach her. The days passed and the joy turned into drama. From words and threats he turned to deeds. The Italian every night left a trail of dead people on the street who dared to look at his beloved. Beatriz was astonished at such atrocity and her heart was dying little by little. Spilling blood is not loving.
- The young woman felt responsible for tremendous madness, so she decided to put an end to the killings. Blood must stop being spilled in her name. Thus, a painful decision was already made. She decided to sink her white face into the brazier full of live red coal that accompanied her on her cold nights. Her beauty had to end and with it the love of her Italian. With this gesture, Beatriz intended to scare away her lover. But the result was not as expected.
A Mexican legend marked forever with tragedy
- The Marquis of Piedmont showed that he loved her not only for what had been her extraordinary beauty, but above all for her soul. Even her love was reinforced by discovering the nobility of the young woman by sacrificing her beauty for the lives of others. The young woman sacrificed her face to save the soul of her lover from her, who learned the lesson and put jealousy aside from her.
- Said overcoming and learning won back the heart of Beatriz, who decided to go ahead with the wedding plans. Months later came the long-awaited wedding ceremony where she covered her damaged and bruised face with a white veil, which she would later change to an eternal black veil. Finally, love prevailed, but the young Beatriz had to pay a high price that would accompany her all her life.
- Nowadays, there are those who say that some nights, a woman totally dressed in black is seen walking around, with a dark veil with which she covers her face. If she does not bother her, she is harmless, but one must be careful not to approach this ghost, because otherwise, she will show you her disfigured face and her nightmares will always accompany you.
- If we have any lesson to learn from the Mexican legend of La Calle de la Quemada, it is that no woman should suffer a man’s jealousy and that love must always be lived in freedom, without the need for sacrifices. To love is to care for and give happiness to the other, not torment or pain. Jealousy always ends up killing love.