THE LEGENDS OF THE CROSSING OF THE WAY OF ST. JAMES ON THE MINÑO RIVER BETWEEN CAMINHA AND A GUARDA

About this heritage

Between Caminha and A Guarda, crossing the River Minho by boat preserves one of the most unique legends of the Camino: pilgrims had to remain silent so as not to attract the feiticeiras of the river, spirits believed to dwell in its waters. To achieve this, many carried a stone in their mouths during the journey, a symbol of prudence and respect. Today, although the river is crossed in modern vessels, the tradition lives on in collective memory as a bridge between history, myth, and Jacobean spirituality.

This tradition is preserved in Galician and Portuguese folklore, mentioned in ethnographic studies and in collections of legends about the River Minho. This rite, which was not exclusive to the Camino, became associated with the pilgrimage to Compostela as it coincided with this crossing point on the Way of St. James.