In the Spanish city of Teruel, a pair of marble tombs attract steady streams of visitors. Carved hands reach toward one another, almost touching, but not quite. These are the tombs of Diego Martinez Marcilla and Isabel Segura—figures at the center of a local legend dating back to the early 1200s.
The story first spread through oral tradition and literature, but its revival in the 16th century came with the discovery of two mummified bodies in the town. Though later research cast doubt on their identity, the mausoleum known as the “Lovers of Teruel” endures as a cultural landmark.
A Promise and a Separation
According to the story, Isabel and Diego had known each other since childhood. As they came of age, they fell in love and wanted to marry.
But Isabel’s father, a wealthy man, rejected Diego as a suitor because his family had lost its fortune. Diego pleaded for time, and Isabel convinced her father to grant a five-year delay. Diego left Teruel to restore his name and wealth, with the understanding that Isabel would not be wed to another man during that time.
One Day Too Late
Diego returned to Teruel after five years, believing he had fulfilled the agreement. But the marriage had taken place just one day earlier.
Diego had not counted the day of the agreement itself. That night, Diego entered Isabel’s room and begged for a kiss. She refused, staying loyal to her new husband, who was asleep beside her. Diego collapsed and died at her feet. The following day, Isabel attended his funeral and, overcome with grief, fell dead beside his body.
Discovery and Commemoration
In the 16th century, two mummified bodies were discovered in Teruel. Residents connected the remains to the tale of Diego and Isabel.
Despite the lack of historical evidence directly linking the mummies to the couple, the story gained renewed prominence. Over time, the site of the tombs became a pilgrimage destination for locals and visitors alike.
Art in Marble
In 1955, Spanish sculptor Juan de Ávalos created two detailed alabaster tombs for the mummies. The design depicts Diego and Isabel lying side by side, with their hands reaching toward each other but not quite touching. The mausoleum housing the tombs is located in San Pedro Church in Teruel.
Although studies in the 20th and 21st centuries suggest the remains belong to individuals from a later period, the tombs remain one of the city’s most visited sites.
In Teruel, Spain, two marble tombs show a man and woman reaching for each other, hands inches apart.
They represent Diego and Isabel, lovers from the 1200s.
A tragic misunderstanding, two sudden deaths, and a discovery centuries later turned their story into a national… pic.twitter.com/cWYSwvtZl1
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 12, 2025