Camino de Santiago

Day 14. Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and one of the best stories along the Camino de Santiago.
The story goes that in the 14th century, a German 18-year-old named Hugonell, from Xanten, goes on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela with his parents. A Spanish girl at the hostel where they were staying makes sexual advances toward Hugonell; Hugonell rejects her advances. Angry at this, the girl hides a silver cup in the German's bag and then informs the authorities that the youth had taken it. Hugonell is sentenced to the gallows, in accordance with the laws of Alfonso X of Castile.
The parents sadly decide to examine their son's body, still hanging on the gallows, but suddenly hear his voice –he tells them that Saint Dominic has saved his life. His parents quickly make their way to see the magistrate and tell him of the miracle.
The magistrate, who is at the time eating dinner, remarks: "Your son is as alive as this rooster and chicken that I was feasting on before you interrupted me." And in that moment, the two birds jump from the plate and begin to sing and crow happily.
The rumored descendants of the two miracle chickens are housed in the Cathedral and also the municipal albergue. It is said that if the albergue chickens "cluck" at you that you will return to Santo Domingo, and they clucked at both of us.
The cathedral in Santo Domingo is the only church to have live stock in it.Leggi altro