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San Andrés de Teixido: Vai de morto quen non foi de vivo

This small village in the province of A Coruña, is the protagonist of one of the best known legends in all of Galicia

San Andrés de Teixido is a village located in the province of A Coruña that is known by many thanks to the legend of its patron saint. It is located in the municipality of Cedeira in the south of this Galician province and is visited every year by thousands of tourists who want to fulfill the popular Galician saying "San Andrés de Teixido: Vai de morto quen non foi de vivo", which means "San Andrés de Teixido: Va de muerto quien no fue de vivo".

Legend of San Andrés de Teixido

According to legend, Andrew the Apostle arrived by boat in San Andres de Teixido, as a good fisherman, and there his boat was inverted, which can still be seen today as if it were an immersed rock. From that moment on, Jesus entrusted that place to the saint, who built the temple that we all know.

Even though the place that Jesus entrusted to the Apostle Saint Andrew was very remote, Jesus promised him that everyone would visit that place even after his death. As he said, all people should visit St. Andrew of Teixido at least once in their lives, and whoever did not, should go there dead, a total of 3 times and reincarnated as an animal, otherwise he could not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Traditions of San Andrés de Teixido

In San Andres de Teixido the 8th of September and the 30th of November are indicated dates. On these dates is when the pilgrimages are celebrated and when more people come to celebrate the mass and subsequent events that take place around the church of San Andrés de Teixido. 

During the days of the pilgrimage, many people visit this village in A Coruña to complete their pilgrimage. There, they also make a wish at the saint's fountain and drink from the fountain to fulfill the traditional custom. Before leaving the place, many also acquire the well-known herb of love, a symbol that solves problems of love and can be obtained to their surroundings.

The Sanandresiños: Amulets of San Andrés de Teixido

One of the most characteristic symbols of San Andrés de Teixido are the Sanandresiños, figures made of unfermented bread dough. These breadcrumb figures are hand-made by some of the inhabitants of this village and symbolize different things, depending on what the person wants to achieve. Depending on their shape, the Sanandresiños can represent: love, travel, health, food, work, studies, protection or peace.

Although all these amulets from San Andrés de Teixido are similar to each other, they are all totally different as they are made entirely by hand. The inhabitants of San Andrés mold each one of these figures and cook them, and then color them with great care.

San Andrés de Teixido: The cliffs of Vixía Herbeira

As if all the people who come to this village to visit the sanctuary of San Andrés de Teixido were not enough, in this small town you can also find the cliffs of Vixía Herbeira.  These cliffs are the highest in continental Europe as they reach a height of 613 meters and offer a unique view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Near San Andres de Teixido we also find another very striking tourist attraction, the Serra da Capelada, also known as the Serra de A Capelada. In this mountain range we can enjoy a unique natural space in the middle of nature, where the cows and the wild horses that are found there stand out mainly.

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