The Legend of Barcelos Rooster narrates the miraculous intervention of a dead rooster in the proof of the innocence of a man wrongly accused.
According to legend, the inhabitants of Barcelos alarmed walked with a crime, which had not yet discovered the criminal that committed. One day there appeared a Galician who became suspicious. The authorities decided to arrest him despite their oaths of innocence, he was just passing on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, in fulfillment of a promise.
Sentenced to be hanged, the man asked to be taken to the presence of the judge who sentenced. Granted permission, took him to the residence of the magistrate, who at that time was feasted with some friends. The Galician again stated his innocence and, to the amazement of those present, pointed to a roast chicken that was on the table and exclaimed: "It's so right I am innocent, how certain is this rooster crows when hang me." Judge pushed the plate aside and ignored the call, but when the pilgrim was being hanged, the roasted rooster stood up on the table and sang.
Realizing his mistake, the judge rushed to the gallows and found that Galician is saved thanks to a poorly done node. The man was immediately released and sent on paz.Alguns years later, Galician have returned to Barcelos to sculpt the Cruzeiro do Senhor do Galo in praise of the Virgin Mary and St. James, monument which is in the Archaeological Museum of Barcelos. This is also represented by minhoto crafts, usually clay, known as Cock of Barcelos and a symbol of Portugal.
