Churches and bridges today!
(No details on the bridge above except that it is medieval.)
Iglasia de Santa María in Leboreiro - 18th century rebuild of 13th century Romanesque church. Has a legend about a statue of Mary that kept finding its way outside. Interestingly, the legend is originally about a pagan goddess of the earth. Regardless, they stopped the statue from moving by adding a sculpture of Mary over the exterior of the church entrance. (Story is that she just wanted to be outside!)
Puente de San Xoán, across the Río Furelos. Another medieval bridge. My understanding is that many of these bridges, like many of the small medieval churches, were built along the pilgrimage route - not the other way around. (I.e. the Camino came first, and the bridges, churches, and villages were built to serve and support the pilgrims.)
Iglesia de San Xoán, 13th-century, Furelos. Remarkable for the unique crucifix, with an a reaching down. It's a powerful variation on the common image.
Iglesia de Santa María de Melide, 11th-century, Melide. Another well preserved Romanesque church, adorned with 12th- and 15th-century frescos (with hidden Templar references), a Visigothic alter from the 8th century, and a collection of other medieval pieces.
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What struck me today was the millions upon millions of stones that have been gathered, transported, cut, placed, and maintained by the hands of 40+ generations of artisans and workers to create and maintain the roads, bridges, churches, lodgings, fences, and other structures along the 500 miles of the Camino Frances. One idea. Hundreds of organizations and tens (hundreds?) of thousands of individuals, over many generations, to make it what it is today.
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Tomorrow: Staying at Mirador de Rouris in Ferreiros A Calle.