According to historical data, around the XNUMXth century the remains of the Apostle Santiago were discovered. From then on, the Camino de Santiago became an extremely famous route among Christians. Today, several centuries later, devotees and not so devotees travel hundreds of kilometers on this unique path.

With more than ten centuries of pilgrimages, it is not surprising that different myths and legends have arisen around the path, especially if you keep in mind the thousands of people who have traveled it. Among the most famous, today we are going to highlight some.

The Way from the point of view of magic and faith

Once the remains of Santiago were discovered, Christians They began a pilgrimage to this place with the intention of asking for different personal needs. They offered this tour on foot in exchange for receiving the entrusted favors. These could often be related to health, harvests or even to ward off natural tragedies.

Throughout history, different personalities of great relevance have passed through it, including Spanish royalty. Being the Camino de Santiago from Sarria the most popular and toured by different celebrities.

Today, The Camino de Santiago continues to have an extremely important connotation from a religious and cultural point of view. Many of the pilgrims who travel through these places assure that a special calm is felt, as if the apostle himself accompanied them throughout the journey.

Even if you no longer have needs that require divine intervention, following this route, regardless of your point of origin, is an unforgettable experience.

Now yes, we are going to talk to you about the most popular myths of the Camino de Santiago. 

The Legend of the Deniega Fountain

La Sierra del Perdón It is a famous set of mountains found in Navarra, about 10 km from Pamplona, to the south. Right in the lower part there is a small fountain, Reniega, the protagonist of the following story.

One of the myths of the Camino de Santiago tells that In this area the devil appeared with the appearance of an attractive young man. A very thirsty pilgrim who was passing through the place, on his way to Puente de la Reina, came across him.

He offered him a drink of water three times in exchange for denying God, the Virgin Mary and the Apostle Santiago, but the walker’s faith remained intact and he rejected the help provided by the evil one.

On the third refusal, Satan disappeared in a cloud of brimstone. This, when dissipated, revealed the spring with fresh and clean water.

The legend of the ghost pilgrim

In this case, the story is related to the city of Santiago and its cathedral. According to legend, one of the nuns of the convent of San Pelayo had an affair with a priest. To find himself, every night he crossed a passageway that was under the Plaza de Quintana, which precisely linked the cathedral with the enclosure.

Tired of hiding he proposed to the young woman to elope together. The meeting point was the square at midnight where he arrived on time, only with a pilgrim’s tunic as clothing. He waited for hours, but his love never came.

Since then, they say, you can see every night at the same point, the young pilgrim waiting.

the legend of the donkey

This is one of the legends of Camino de Santiago organized more particular. According to what they say, a young couple of French origin, accompanied by their two children, rested in a hostel in Pamplona before resuming their trip. The plan was to stay for the day and carry on, but the mother became seriously ill so the stay was extended.

Some time later, the woman dies and in her honor, the family decides to continue the journey. Knowing this, the hostel owner charges her a large sum of money for her long stay. Since they had no money, the father gives up his donkey as a form of payment.

They followed the path and, in view of the difficulties, stopped constantly to ask the Apostle to improve the situation. Days after, an old man gives them a donkey to help them in the most difficult stages. Upon arriving in Santiago, the man has a vision where they reveal to him that the grandfather was actually the Apostle Santiago himself.

Back home, when they crossed by the hostel, they discovered that the owner had passed away shortly to leave. He died in an accident that was related to divine justice.

The Legend of the Rooster and the Hen

This is one of the myths of the Camino de Santiago developed in La Rioja. Staying in a hostel in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a German family with their 18-year-old son, they hoped to regain strength to continue.

A local young woman fell madly in love with the handsome boy, but when she was not reciprocated, she took revenge with her own hands. He hid a silver cup inside the luggage and later accused him of theft.

The boy was sentenced to death by hanging as punishment for his theft. After dying, the stunned parents approach the corpse to ask the apostle for his soul and it is there when the miracle happens and they hear him speak, telling them that it is thanks to blessed Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

The parents went to tell the corregidor about the miracle. However, he mocks them, claiming that his son was as alive as the rooster and the hen that were roasting. After saying these words, the birds regained their feathers and began to crow.

The legend of the Roldán stone bench

This is another of the stories of the Camino de Santiago famous in the area of Navarra and La Rioja. Also known as the legend of Roldán and Ferragut. It is based on the battle between Charlemagne’s nephew Roland and the giant Ferragut, who, according to history, belonged to the same lineage as Goliath.

The meeting took place at Poyo de Roldan and lasted several days, as both sides were fairly even. Finally, it was Ferragut who fell, at which time Roldán, also exhausted, took advantage of stabbing what is said to be his weak point, his navel, and died there.

According to the legends of the Camino de Santiago, This fact marked the expulsion of the Muslims from the castle of Nájera.