Puntos de Interés
Culture
The Cruz de la Figalina
The Cruz de la Figalina is the principal stone marker on the route between Pinilla de Fermoselle and Fornillos de Fermoselle.
The cross is formed by local granitic materials. In short, the structure is relatively modest in scale, yet it is unmistakable in its presence. This religious monument is supported by a base with a tall cylindrical shaft. Raised on its crown is an ornate Latin cross with a capital below it.
The monument is located at the crossroads, which marks the boundary of the municipality of Pinilla de Fernoselle. This why there is the word “cruz” (cross in English) in its name.
The origins of this custom can be traced back to pre-Christian times. It is thought that the marking of territorial boundaries may have originated from milestones, cylindrical structures that the Romans placed on the margins of roads to indicate distances. Although the Latin cross forms have their origins in the British Isles, their expansion in the Iberian Peninsula commenced in the 15th and 16th centuries, particularly following the Council of Trento, when the image of the cross became a more prominent feature.
The Cruz de Figalina is in an area of the landscape that exhibits a distinctive reddish hue, which is attributed to the presence of clay deposits in the surrounding area. This material is distinctive within the region, as it is not commonly found in the area and was in fact a natural resource that was used for the creation of ceramics. In its shadow, a granite bench offers a tranquil space for rest.