Drac de Na Coca

Drac de Na Coca, the Mythical Dragon

The Drac de Na Coca (Dragon of Na Coca) is a mythical creature that is said to have terrorized the city of Palma, Spain, in the past. According to legend, the dragon was a bloodthirsty beast that roamed the streets and sewers of the city, searching for its next victim.

The Mythology of the Drac de Na Coca

Deep in the underground tunnels of Palma, Spain, a creature lies in wait. It is a beast like no other, a creature of legend and fear. It is the Dragon of Na Coca, a bloodthirsty monster that roams the streets and sewers of the city, searching for its next victim.

The Dragon of Na Coca has struck fear into the hearts of those who dare to venture too close for centuries. Its long, sharp teeth and body covered in scales make it a formidable beast. When it breathes fire, all who stand in its path tremble with fear.

No one knows where the Dragon of Na Coca came from or how long it has been lurking in the shadows. Some say it is a creature of myth, a product of the imagination. Others claim that it is a real beast, one that has been exaggerated and mythologized over time.

Whatever the truth may be, one thing is certain: the legend of the frightening creature lives on, a testament to the enduring fascination with the mysterious and unknown. So beware, for the Dragon of Na Coca may be closer than you think.

Descriptions of the Drac de Na Coca

According to legend, the Dragon of Na Coca was a fearsome creature with a long, slender body covered in scales. Its head was said to be large and reptilian, with sharp teeth and glowing eyes. The dragon was said to have wings that it used to fly, although it was more often seen crawling through the underground tunnels and sewers of Palma, Spain.

The Drac de Na Coca was also said to have the ability to breathe fire, which it used to intimidate and attack its prey. It was said to be a relentless predator, always on the hunt for its next victim.

In some cultures, the ability to breathe fire is seen as a natural part of a dragon’s anatomy, while in others it is seen as a magical or supernatural ability. In many stories and legends, dragons are depicted as using their fire-breathing ability to attack and defend themselves against their enemies.

The concept of dragons breathing fire has its roots in ancient mythology and has been a part of many different cultural traditions throughout history. In Greek mythology, for example, the dragons that guarded the golden fleece were said to have the ability to breathe fire. In Chinese mythology, dragons were often depicted as powerful creatures with the ability to control the elements, including fire.

Some stories even claim that the dragon could control the minds of its victims, making them do its bidding. Psychokinesis, also known as telekinesis, is the supposed ability to move or influence objects with the power of the mind alone, without the use of any physical means. This ability is often associated with paranormal or supernatural phenomena and has been a popular subject in science fiction and fantasy literature and media for many years.

The Dancing Drac de Na Coca

The Dancing Dragon of Na Coca.

Despite its fearsome reputation, the Dragon of Na Coca was also said to have a softer side. According to legend, the beast was said to be attracted to music and would often be seen dancing to the tunes of street musicians.

Some people even claimed to have tamed the beast, using music to calm its aggressive nature. It was said that the dragon would emerge from its underground lair and dance in the streets, mesmerized by the music and the sound of the musicians’ instruments.

There are many different stories and legends surrounding the Dragon of Na Coca and its supposed love of music. Some people claim that the dragon would only attack those who were not carrying an instrument, while others say that it would spare anyone who was able to play a tune that it liked.

My grandfather used to tell me stories about the Dragon of Na Coca when I was a kid. He said it was a bloodthirsty beast that roamed the streets of Palma, looking for its next victim. But oddly, he also said that it had a softer side and was attracted to music. He told me he always carried a harmonica in his pocket when he walked the streets at night, just in case he came across the dragon.

Leo Peña, reminiscing about the tales of the Dragon of Na Coca told to him by his grandfather.

In Conclusion

The legend of the Drac de Na Coca has captured the imagination of people for centuries. This fearsome beast is said to have roamed the streets and sewers of Palma, Spain, in search of its next victim, breathing fire and striking fear into the hearts of all who encountered it.

Despite its fearsome reputation, the creature was also said to have a softer side, and some people even claimed to have tamed the beast with the power of music. Whether these stories are true or simply the product of the imagination is a matter of debate, but they have certainly added to the myth and legend of the monster.

Legends and myths are often passed down from generation to generation, and as they are told and retold, they can change and evolve over time. Each new generation adds its own interpretation and embellishments to the story, resulting in a rich tapestry of folklore that is constantly changing and evolving.

As a legend is passed down through the ages, it can take on new meanings and become infused with the cultural and social values of each successive generation. It may be reinterpreted or revised to fit the needs and beliefs of the time, or to reflect the changing social and cultural landscape.

While the true nature of the mythical beast remains a mystery, one thing is certain: the legend of this fearsome beast continues to captivate the imagination and has become a enduring part of the folklore of Palma. But the question remains: could the Dragon of Na Coca still be out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike? The answer, it seems, may be out there, waiting to be discovered.

Searching For The Dragon of Na Coca

Brooklyn is infested, no doubt, with its fair share of paranormal activity but, when we at BKPS get the chance, we love to investigate the weird goings on from other parts of the world as well. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the mysterious island of Mallorca where once lived the dreaded Dragon of Na Coca.

Palma, capital of Mallorca, was founded by the Romans back in 124 BC and, being an ancient city, is chock full of myths and creepy legends. One such legend regards the Dragon of Na Coca. This story concerns a cryptid who, bearing a similar M.O. to Stephen King’s Pennywise, lived in the sewers beneath the city and had a blood thirsty penchant for killing children. Unlike Pennywise, however, this “dragon” actually existed in real life and, there’s proof of it inside the Diocesan Museum of Palma. So they say. Certainly, the matter required our full attention.

Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (Image by Andrew Arnett)

The legend of the Dragon of Na Coca begins in 1776 when rumors began spreading of a great dragon lurking in the sewers and prowling the streets at night. Disturbing sounds were heard in La Portella neighborhood, right in the shadow of the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. Cats went missing and animal remains found strewn about. Then, things began to get weird.

Some witnesses claimed to have seen an enormous creature so hideous that it “froze the blood of even the most courageous.” This behemoth was covered in scales, had rows of razor sharp teeth, and crawled through the winding streets on its four feet whilst dragging its twining tail behind it.

At first, the creature was content to feed on small animals but as it grew larger, so did its appetite. Soon after, children and elders alike fell victim to this beast. That was the situation in Palma at the time and locals lived in constant terror of being dragged off the streets and into the labyrinth below, only to become some crazed lizard’s main course meal.

Street in La Portella (Image by Andrew Arnett)

One fateful evening, Captain Bartomeu Coch, Governor of Alcudia, arrived in town to pay court to his mistress. He swung the knocker of the Portella of the walled city then walked over to his lover’s home. There, in the dark, as the couple whispered words of love, the scaled beast reared its hideous head.

The Captain, being a knight of no ill repute, drew his sword and dispatched the creature after a fierce battle, then placed the dead lizard beneath his lover’s window as proof of his love. The remains of the dragon were subsequently embalmed and placed on exhibit inside the Diocesan Museum of Palma where it can be seen to this day.

I wasted little time in purchasing a ticket to the museum to see this exhibit. Turns out the “dragon” was a crocodile, though certainly one of the ugliest you may happen to come across. Most probably, the creature was smuggled on board one of the trading vessels at the time as a pet, then left to fend for itself as the sailors moved on to their next destination.

As it struggled to survive, it most probably preyed on small mammals and may in fact have taken down some humans as well, as crocodiles and alligators are known to be proficient killers. Just recently, in fact, there has been a spate of humans killed by crocs (you can read about that here).

Dragon of Na Coca in Diocesan Museum of Palma (Image by Andrew Arnett)

Even though a crocodile lies at the heart of this mystery, the paranormal angle cannot be readily dismissed. Turns out the Coca (or Coco) is a mythical ghost-monster found throughout Spanish culture, originating in Portugal and Galicia. Interestingly, the term coco comes from the Portuguese côco and refers to a ghost with a pumpkin head, or a dragon. The Irish cognate of the term is clocan, meaning “skull.” In Brazilian folklore, the Cuca refers to a female humanoid alligator.

Que Viene el Coco (1799) by Goya

Perhaps the most disturbing part of this legend regards the Coca’s behavior – it is a child eater and a kidnapper. It may devour the child completely or, it may take the child to a place of no return. Also, it has the power to shape-shift into a dark shadow, and hangs out on rooftops looking for disobedient children to spirit away to its nowhere land. It is viewed as the opposite of a guardian angel and, certainly not someone you want to friend on Facebook.

Throughout the centuries, many lullabies have evolved about the Coca. The oldest, composed by Juan Caxés in the 17th century goes like this:

Duérmete niño, duérmete ya

Que viene el Coco y te comerá.

Sleep child, sleep now
Here comes the Coco and he will eat you

A Portuguese version of the song goes like this:

Vai-te Coca. Vai-te Coca

Para cima do telhado
Deixa o menino dormir
Um soninho descansado

Leave Coca. Leave Coca
Go to the top of the roof
Let the child have
A quiet sleep

Written by Andrew Arnett