Vilachá (Lugo) (0)

Did you know that... Vilachá

It is located on the banks of the river Loio, in the parish of San Salvador das Cortes belonging to the municipality of Paradela, we also find the village of A Parrocha, both crossed by the French Way. In the history of Paradela, the monastery of Santa María de Loio played an important role. In this area on the banks of the river Loio, there are documents that prove the existence, in the Middle Ages, of several monasteries such as San Salvador and Santa Cruz do Loio, of which remains are preserved, as well as that of Santa María de Loio which was founded in the eighth century and inhabited by monks of the rule of San Fructuoso and whose maximum splendour and relevance came between the ninth and tenth centuries when he saw the birth in it the Military Order of the Knights of Santiago, whose special task was the protection of pilgrims.

To discover What to see in Vilachá y A Parrocha?

In this section of the Way between A Parrocha and Vilachá you can enjoy beautiful views over the Belesar reservoir and the town of Portomarín. Of the monastery of Santa María de Loio there is only one small chapel recently restored, which houses an image of Santiago.

Festivities

The parish of San Salvador de Cortes celebrates its patron saint festivities in honour of San Salvador on the first Sunday in August.

Curiosities

In the parish of Cortes, as is customary in the location of monasteries, these are found in places that are truly beautiful and prone to solitude and prayer, among mountains, on the banks of the river Loio.

The Legend

The Knights Changers, or Knights of the Order of Santiago, were the Templars of Galicia who defended the pilgrims and watched over the tomb of the Apostle. This order of uncertain origin can be traced back to the 9th century when the Brotherhood of the "Caballeros Cambeadores" (Knights of the Cambeadores) arose in Santiago. They point to the monastery of Santa María de Loio as the origin of the "Caballeros de Santiago de la Espada" (Knights of Santiago de la Espada). "A few noblemen in lineage, distinguished in wisdom, strong in arms and glorious in everything material, but poor in virtues and vicious ... repentant of their life of dissipation and scandal, resolved without abandoning the rules of chivalry, to which they belonged ..., to make common life and submit to a religious rule that would be the norm of their conduct and appoint among them a Prefect and other dignitaries to direct and guide them."According to Professor Amor Meilán in his "Historia de la provincia de Lugo" (History of the Province of Lugo).