Long ago, a family of German pilgrims passed through Santo Domingo de la Calzada. The local waitress, smitten by the fair-haired son, was heartbroken when he did not return her affections. In a fit of vengeful rage, she planted a stolen silver chalice from the church in his backpack and reported him to the authorities. The punishment was swift: the young man was sentenced to death by hanging.

The next morning, his grieving parents visited the gallows to bid their son farewell before continuing their pilgrimage to Santiago. To their astonishment, they found him alive, claiming he had been saved by Santo Domingo himself.

Still skeptical, the parents rushed to the mayor, who was in the middle of a meal. “Impossible!” he scoffed. “Your son is as alive as these roasted chickens on my plate.” At that very moment, the chickens sprang to life, flapping their wings and running across the table.

Since then, a pair of live chickens has been kept in the cathedral (replaced every two weeks), and the chicken has become a symbol of the town—a reminder of faith, justice, and the miraculous.

A Croatian Connection: The Frescos of St. James Chapel in Barban
The legend of Santo Domingo and the miraculous chickens transcends borders. In Barban, Croatia, the St. James Chapel features frescos depicting this very story. These medieval artworks serve as a testament to the enduring influence of the Camino legends, even in regions far from Spain. The frescos capture the drama of the waitress’s betrayal, the son’s miraculous survival, and the chickens’ resurrection—a visual narrative that connects Croatian pilgrims to the broader Camino tradition.

Why This Legend Matters Today
The story of Santo Domingo and the chickens is more than a medieval folktale—it’s a symbol of hope, divine intervention, and the unexpected miracles that can occur on the Camino. Whether you’re walking the Camino Francés in Spain or exploring the spiritual heritage of Croatia, this legend reminds us that faith and justice can triumph in the most extraordinary ways.

So, the next time you see a chicken—whether in a cathedral or on a Croatian fresco—remember the pilgrim’s tale that has inspired travelers for centuries.