Puente de San Xoán de Furelos
Medieval Bridge of Furelos
The Puente de San Xoán de Furelos, located in the parish of Furelos within the municipality of Melide, is one of the most representative architectural treasures of the Camino de Santiago Frances toward the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the city of Santiago de Compostela. This medieval structure stands out not only for its architectural design and historical importance, but also for the legends surrounding it and its essential role in pilgrimage through Galicia. In this article, we explore the historical, architectural and cultural richness of this iconic bridge.
History of the Puente de San Xoán de Furelos
The Puente de San Xoán de Furelos has a history dating back to the 12th century. Its first official mention appears in the Codex Calixtinus, one of the most important documents on the Camino de Santiago. At the time, building bridges was crucial to easing the passage of pilgrims along the Jacobean route, especially in Galicia, where rivers posed significant obstacles.
Although there is debate over whether today’s bridge is the same one mentioned in the 12th century, it is known to have undergone several renovations over time. The neighboring Church of San Xoan, in late Romanesque style, dates from the 13th century, creating a slight chronological discrepancy between the two structures. The bridge was also restored in the 18th century and, more recently, in 1979.
Importance for the Camino de Santiago
The Medieval Bridge of Furelos is an essential piece of infrastructure on the Camino Frances, one of the busiest routes toward Santiago de Compostela. Its strategic location in the final stages of the pilgrimage makes it a required crossing point for thousands of walkers, who find in this bridge a living testament to the history and faith surrounding the Jacobean route.
Architecture of the Medieval Bridge of Furelos
The Puente de Furelos is an outstanding example of medieval civil architecture. About 50 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, its structure is characterized by its “mule’s back” shape, giving it a curved, elegant appearance. It consists of four uneven semicircular arches resting on three stone pillars.
The materials used in its construction reflect the local surroundings. The granite ashlars come from Pambre, while the fill is made of the region’s typical black stone, known as amphibolite.
Additional Details of the Puente de San Xoán de Furelos
Besides the bridge itself, just a few meters downstream lies the Presa do Comendador, documented since the early 17th century. This lesser-known feature reinforces the historical and economic importance of the Furelos area during the Middle Ages.
On one of the riverbanks lies the settlement of San Xoan, with several houses of medieval origin and a church that preserves Romanesque features. Inside the church, notable altarpieces depict San Xoan, Saint Lucy and a Christ figure carved by Manuel Cajide, a local artist.
Legend Associated with the Puente de San Xoán de Furelos
The Story of the Mouro
As with many centuries-old bridges in Galicia, the Puente de Furelos is surrounded by legends. One of the best known tells that the parish’s residents, unable to build the bridge for lack of resources, turned to a “mouro.” These Galician mythological figures, associated with the construction of great works, accepted the task in exchange for gold.
The mouro built the bridge, but left a stone badly placed to ensure it would deteriorate over time, forcing the residents to call on him again. However, the residents, tired of the mouro’s tricks, heated a stone before he returned to reposition it, causing the mouro to burn his hand and leave a mark on the stone.
This legend, besides enriching the region’s oral heritage, reflects the popular imagination and creativity that sought to explain the technical and social challenges of the medieval period through fantastical elements.