Bonaval's cross, O Cruceiro de Bonaval, in Rúa de San Pedro, close to Puerta del Camino

These kind of crosses of stone, as the one in Bonaval, are really typical in Galicia and Brittany, in the north of France. Its main function was to mark a crossroads. They were old traffic signs. Other uses, this one more popular, was to protect people againt the Santa Compaña. The Santa Compaña is a legend very widespread in Galicia and other cultures. It is a procession of deceaseds who walk at night in penance for their sins. They look for souls to join them. If someone met the Santa Compaña the cross had the mission to protect him. These crosses were holy places and the Santa Compaña was not allowed to bring the person with them. Almost all cruceiros have a legend or a tradition in a land so mistic as Galicia. In this case, as well. This cross of stone was made in the XIV century. It represents scenes of Christo'way to the cross, which are engraved into stone. There is an interesting legend about this place. It is the legend of a holy man. This man was Jean Touron. He was condemned to death for a murder he did not committed. He was innocent and poor. So, as he was on the way to the gallows, he passed through this place and, suddenly, he saw the Virgin and pronounced in old galician: Vem et me-val. What does it mean? Come and save me. (And that explains also why this neighboorhood is called Bonaval, with the evident fonetic alterations). The Virgin heard Jean Touron's prayers and feeling sorry for him, She helped him. Jean died in that very moment without suffering. This premature death without explanation was taken as a miracle and Jean awarded as a holy man.