Henhouse and Pilgrim's Gallows

Santo Domingo de la Calzada is one of the most attractive and historic towns in northern Spain. It is famous for its beautiful cathedral, its medieval atmosphere, and its rich cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy its charming streets, learn about centuries of history, and discover one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain.

The town is closely linked to the Camino Francés, the most popular route of the Camino de Santiago. Located in the region of La Rioja, Santo Domingo de la Calzada has welcomed pilgrims for centuries. Its development was greatly influenced by Santo Domingo, who improved roads and built infrastructure to help travellers on their journey to Santiago de Compostela. Today, thousands of pilgrims continue to pass through the town every year.

Another unique feature of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is the presence of living chickens inside its cathedral. A rooster and a hen are kept in a beautiful Gothic stone henhouse located within the cathedral itself. This tradition dates back to at least the fourteenth century, when the miracle of the hanged pilgrim became closely associated with the town. Since then, these birds have served as a living reminder of the famous legend and have become one of the most distinctive symbols of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Their presence continues to surprise and fascinate visitors from all over the world.

One of the most famous legends associated with Santo Domingo de la Calzada is the Miracle of the Hanged Pilgrim and the Rooster and Hen. According to the story, a young German pilgrim named Hugonell was travelling to Santiago with his parents. While staying at an inn in Santo Domingo, the innkeeper’s daughter fell in love with him. When he rejected her, she secretly placed a silver cup in his luggage and accused him of theft.

As a result, Hugonell was arrested, found guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging. The following day, his parents went to see his body before continuing their pilgrimage. To their amazement, they found him still alive. Hugonell explained that Santo Domingo had miraculously protected him from death and asked his parents to report the extraordinary event.

When the parents informed the local governor, he refused to believe them. He replied that their son was no more alive than the roasted rooster and hen on his table. Immediately, the two birds recovered their feathers, came back to life, and began to crow. This astonishing event convinced everyone of the miracle and gave rise to the famous saying: “Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where the hen sang after being roasted.”