The 16th century calvary, preserved in the Archeology Museum of the city of Barcelos, is associated with the curious legend of the rooster of Barcelos, symbol of this city.
Rooster of Barcelos
According to this legend, one day a crime was committed in this village. However, the culprit was not found, and the inhabitants of Barcelos were intrigued by this. This story worried and panicked them.
One day a man from Galicia appeared in the city, upon whom suspicion fell, for some unknown reason, immediately. The authorities arrested him without evidence. The man protested and proclaimed his innocence, but nothing helped.
No one wanted to believe that this man was going to Santiago de Compostela to fulfill a wish, because he was a fervent worshiper of the saint who was venerated in Compostela, as well as Saint Paul and Our Lady. The man was sentenced to be hanged!
As he was being led to the gallows, he asked to be brought back into the presence of the judge who had sentenced him. Authorization was granted and he was taken to the residence of the magistrate, who was in the middle of a banquet with some friends.
The accused once again asserted his innocence and, faced with the disbelief of those present, he pointed to a roast rooster which was on the table and exclaimed: <>.
This declaration only provoked bursts of laughter from the entire audience; but no one touched the roast rooster, which therefore remained whole in its dish. The man was then led towards the gallows.
And what seemed impossible happened! Just as the pilgrim was about to be hanged, the roast rooster stood up on the table and crowed. The judge and his guests were amazed. No one any longer doubted the condemned man's innocence. The judge ran to the gallows and what was his amazement when he saw the poor man with the rope around his neck, but the knot absolutely refusing to tighten!
He was freed immediately and sent back in peace. A few years later he returned to Barcelos, where he erected a monument in homage to the Virgin and Saint James.
Portugal adopted the Barcelos rooster as its symbol, no doubt because it symbolized a moral, optimistic and just story.
