Cangas. Hío´s Cruceiro

About this heritage

The Hio´s Cruceiro (Cruceiro is a traditional stone cross) was sculpted by José Cerviño and both symbolically and dramatically expresses significant moments of Christianity, from creation to redemption. Using the iconography of the baroque period, the symbolism of the figures itself is discussed.

It was created in 1872 and is divided into three large stone blocks. In the first one, Adam and Eve are represented consummating the original sin, in the second one and corresponding to the shaft with the Immaculate Conception image, and to finish with, a representation of the Christ´s descent from the cross.

Hio´s Cruceiro is considered one of the most important cruceiros in Galicia. It should be noted that it was practically made from a single piece of granite. To visit it we must go to the square of San Andrés church, in the parish of Hío, and if the visitors wants to enjoy the famous Dance of San Roque, which is danced right in the parish atrium in front of the famous cruceiro, they should reserve this date: August 16.

In addition to its history and monuments, Hío is a source of wild nature. It is essential to visit the Costa da Vela cliffs until Cabo Home, the “Dunas de Barra” Natural Park. If we are one of those who do not need an excuse to start walking, the route on foot along the path that leads to Facho mountain will allow us to contemplate the Cíes and Ons islands from a surprising place.

To learn more

The oldest cruceiro in Galicia dates from the 14th century and is located in the municipality of Melide, in the province of A Coruña, on the contrary, the most famous cruceiro is the one we are presenting, and as you already know , is located in Hío, Cangas, next to the San Andrés church.

In the specific case of the Hío´s Cruceiro, the main scene is the descent of the cross which can be clearly seen in the recreation. Up to 30 characters appear in it. There are various kinds of cruceiros and they are classified as term cruceiros, stopover, crossroads, devotional and penitential.

The cruceiros are one of the Galician landscape´s identity signs, they are built in cross-roads or near religious buildings, either churches, chapels or cemeteries. In Galicia, there are up to 12.000 cruceiros, so if we listen to Castelao, we Galicians are not bad at all, since he said that each cruceiro was “Forgiveness from heaven”. It is also said that the cruceiros were to protect travellers so, if you come to Galicia, protection is included as well as leisure options.

Its proximity to the Atlantic Islands National Park, the Cíes and Ons islands, the Costa da Vela cliffs, the Dunas de Barra (Barra´s dunes) are more than enough arguments to make this peculiar destination a preferential place in your next escape.

To know it better

Hío is a parish within the municipality of Cangas, located very close to both Cíes and Ons islands (Atlantic Islands National Park). This location offers spectacular views, as it is surrounded by the sea, the Atlantic ocean to the west, north, and south, and the Aldán estuary to the east.

One of its most important monuments is the Hio´s Cruceiro. In fact, it is considered to be the most relevant in Galicia. The crosses were built by master craftsmen and were located in the atriums of churches, entrances to cemeteries or crossroads in order to sanctify the different spaces.

Hío´s Cruceiro was made by the master Cerviño in 1872. This construction starts from the ground with a staircase followed by an altar. The main structure of the work is based on it: base, shaft and cross. At the top of a column, there is a little angel holding a parchment in his hand on which one can read: “Alms for the most holy Christ of Light. 1872”. Cangas is a municipality in the province of Pontevedra that belongs to the Morrazo region. It is made up of five parishes: Aldán, Cangas, Coiro, Darbo and Hío.