Doña Magdalena Téllez: A Life Full of Intrigue and Enmities
The Bronze Christ, In the year sixteen hundred seventy-three, Doña Magdalena Téllez was a woman of great beauty and fortune. A Creole, a widow, and with airs of nobility, she attracted the attention of numerous suitors who sought to conquer her. However, none could win her heart, as Doña Magdalena was not easily won over.
Among her suitors and riches, there was also room for enmities. Doña Ana Róeles, wife of Don Juan Sanz de Barea, became her mortal enemy, although the reasons for their animosity are unclear. Both women dedicated themselves to harming each other, fueling a tension that became dangerous.
The Scandal at the Temple of the Company of Jesus
On a day destined for a religious function at the Temple of the Company of Jesus, Doña Magdalena Téllez triggered a scandal by cunningly taking the place reserved for Doña Ana Róeles. This action sparked a scandalous dispute between the two rivals, which unfolded before everyone without regard for the sanctity of the place.
Faced with this situation, Don Juan Sanz de Barea, husband of Doña Ana, came to his wife’s defense and fiercely slapped Doña Magdalena. As a result, the widow cursed and swore vengeance, marking the beginning of a conflict that would have tragic consequences.
The Marital Revenge Pact
After some time, the resentful widow did not give up her desire for revenge, although her previous attempts had failed. Convinced that she needed help to achieve her purpose, she decided to offer her hand in marriage again, under the condition that her husband execute her revenge. This was the only condition for marriage, which caused many of her former suitors to withdraw in fear.
However, a Basque accountant named Pedro Arrechúa accepted the challenge and married the noble widow, despite the obvious risks involved.
Doña Magdalena’s Resolution
Days and weeks passed while Don Pedro seemed immersed in enjoying the honeymoon, oblivious to deeper concerns.
Doña Magdalena, on the other hand, did not let a day go by without reminding her husband of their solemn commitment. Although she had faced many challenges in her life, she could not bear the idea of being ridiculed and belittled.
With firmness and determination, she demanded, imposed, and protested, but her efforts were in vain. Finally, she decided that revenge had to be taken into her own hands. However, her goal was not to punish Doña Ana but to give her husband, Don Pedro, a painful lesson.
The Tragic Outcome at Hacienda Mondragón
Not long had passed since the newlyweds retired to the idyllic Mondragón estate, owned by Doña Magdalena and located near the village of Tarapaya, a league downstream, and six leagues from the majestic Villa Imperial de Potosí. It was in this seemingly tranquil setting that Doña Magdalena insisted once more, with determination, that revenge be carried out without delay.
In a fleeting moment, Doña Magdalena ordered her servants and settlers to tie up the accountant without hearing his pleas or lamentations. Then, she crucified him on a large cross she had prepared, taking him to a small room in the house where he remained trapped in his misery.
The Torturous Routine of Vengeance
Every morning, the widow made sure the accountant had enough food to survive, preventing him from starving. However, after feeding him, she subjected him to a silent torment by pricking his body with a yellow pin, leaving him as if he were an inert figure. This cruel routine repeated day after day, while Doña Magdalena walked away without saying a word, fueling her thirst for vengeance and possibly imagining that her husband was her enemy, in this case, Doña Ana.
The Tragic Culmination of Martyrdom
After many weeks of suffering, the victim finally breathed his last breath. Despite this, Doña Magdalena continued her cruel practice of pricking the accountant with a pin every day. Over time, the unfortunate man’s body was completely covered in pins, with no room for more, transforming him into a figure that looked more like a Bronze Christ than a human being.
The Trial in Mondragón and the Deadly Secret
With Don Pedro’s prolonged absence, justice decided to intervene and moved to the Mondragón estate. There, Doña Magdalena welcomed them with a splendid reception, apparently unaware of the suspicions surrounding her.
While witnesses were interrogated and the house was inspected, the constable developed a friendly relationship with the cook, a cheerful and trustworthy young woman. It was then that the cook, in an act of trust with her fiancé, revealed the terrible secret that the food for that evening was poisoned. Upon this revelation, a separate dish was prepared for her and her entourage, as both the widow and the cook trusted that the judges would not leave that house alive.
Reflection of the Bronze Christ
The story of the Bronze
Christ, Doña Magdalena Téllez in the Villa Imperial de Potosí, Bolivia, is a tale that reveals the extreme consequences of revenge and obsession. Through her actions driven by the desire for revenge, Magdalena descends into a state of cruelty and obsession that culminates in tragedy. Her quest for revenge leads her to commit inhuman acts, such as the martyrdom of her husband Pedro Arrechúa, to her own condemnation and execution. This story reminds us of the dangerous consequences of obsession and excessive desire for revenge, showing how the relentless pursuit of justice can lead to actions that cross moral and legal boundaries. It also highlights the importance of moderation, prudence, and seeking peaceful solutions in conflict situations, avoiding falling into a destructive cycle of retaliation and violence.
This story was adapted from the book ‘Colonial Potosí, traditions and legends‘ by Delio Alcaraz Masías and ‘The Bronze Christ’ by Manuel Aponte, and rewritten for publication on BoliviaTeca.com.
