A curious statue in the centre of
Ponferrada .An interesting medieval legend is depicted here. Ponferrada
was an important centre for the Templars, who built their enormous
castle, still there today. Around 1300, building commenced, and much
wood was required. On September 8th,
the feast day of the Nativity of The Virgin, a holm oak was felled, and
out popped a carved image of the virgin. Some versions say it was
hidden in the tree in the ninth century to hide it from Muslim raiders.
Another legend says that it was brought from Jerusalem c450.
A carved image can be seen in the Basilica of the Virgen de la Encina, Our Lady of the Holm Oak, which is associated with the legend, though this is sixteenth century. The statue above is modern.
