Barcelos Rooster

Barcelos is better-known for its rooster, the symbol and emblem of the city. This popular rooster can be found in every street in sculptures and miniature figurines (souvenirs) that are distributed throughout the country. Around the Cock of Barcelos is a legend, very similar to that in Spain we have about Santo Domingo de la Calzada. It is said that a Galician pilgrim was doing the Camino de Santiago in Barcelos, where he was unjustly accused of robbery and sentenced to hang. Testifying before the judge (who was eating a roasted rooster), he said, "I am innocent, and as proof, that cock will rise and sing".