Our Lady of the Carballeda

Patrona de La Carballeda · Sanctuary of the pilgrims (Rionegro del Puente, Zamora)

In Rionegro del Puente, on the Camino de Santiago Sanabres, a medieval sanctuary guards the patron of the region of La Carballeda; it was born to help pilgrims, guarded by the historic Faliphs' Brotherhood.

Origin and history

The sanctuary, of medieval origin (12th century), which was reformed until the 18th century, rises on the Way of Santiago Sanabrés and was linked to the old Pilgrimage Hospital of the Faliphs, one of the oldest and most powerful of the Way, dedicated to building roads and bridges, maintaining hospitals and helping sick and exiled children. A provision of Philip II of 1564 proves the consolidation of the sanctuary in the 16th century.

The legend tells that pilgrims surprised by the rise of the Black River received the apparition of the Virgin on an oak (carbalo), who had them set their layers to miraculously cross. It's a pious story. The Virgin of the Carballeda is venerated as a local patron and protector of pilgrims, with great pilgrimage on the third Sunday of September.

Canonical coronation: not found in the sources.