Fonte Santa de Lema

About 4 km from Arzúa, we find an oak grove next to the Iso river that houses a chapel, a mill and a fountain. This set is known as Fonte Santa, and has many centuries of history. This site has been unchanged for centuries, surrounded by vegetation and legends.

The Chapel of the Fonte Santa belongs to the 18th century, dedicated to Our Lady of the Holy Fountain. It is the local version of the Virgen del Rosario. The source emanates a few meters away, carrying sulphurous waters with the smell of rotten eggs and a whitish hue to the river.

The legend of the waters of Fonte Santa

Miracles and healing properties are attributed to this fountain, due to a legend in which the Virgin intervenes to give it these abilities. The pilgrims washed their feet there to cure the wounds produced by the long journey. In addition, it is said that when a greedy man wanted to use it as a business and make money from its healing power, the water stopped flowing until he stopped trying to profit from it.

According to the panel found on the site, its origin dates back to a Moura witch who has been buried, transformed into a statue under the place for centuries. The statue of the moura is made of sulfur, which gives the water a rotten smell, according to this legend. The chapel next to the fountain was built to Christianize the area, but the witch's powers are still transmitted in the water.