Santiago de Compostela is a city full of stories about colorful characters. Today we are going to tell you the legend of Cotolay, an ancient story closely linked to the origin of the
Convent of San Francisco
.

Local tradition has it that Cotolay was a charcoal burner who lived on the slopes of Mount Pedroso, in a shack with few resources. His life changed when he met St. Francis of Assisi, who had made a pilgrimage to Compostela. The two became fast friends and shared teachings and advice.

The story tells how the saint received a divine revelation while praying: the order to found a convent on the outskirts of Santiago, in what was known as Val de Deus. He managed to obtain this land, which belonged to the Monastery of San Martiño Pinarioby means of an agreement with the abbot that involved a rather curious compensation: to give him an annual basket of fish.

The plot takes an unexpected turn when St. Francis, who was to leave for Italy, decides to entrust his friend Cotolay with the construction of this temple. The charcoal burner told him that he could not do it, as he did not have the necessary resources.

The saint ignored him and assured him that he would find what he needed for this feat in a fountain near his house. And so it was, because there he was waiting for a treasure with which he financed the Convent of San Francisco de Asís, one of the most emblematic buildings of Compostela.

A story based on true events

The figure of Cotolay has generated debate among scholars. Some defend the possibility that this, far from being the poor man of the myth, was actually a bourgeois who paid for the construction of the convent. Not only that, as it is known that he was a city councilor and promoter of parts of its ancient wall.

His legend has left a tangible mark on Santiago de Compostela. The tomb of this enigmatic character, accompanied by a 16th century inscription narrating his story and the connection with San Francisco, can still be seen in the convent.

Although the passage of time has destroyed part of the original building, which was later rebuilt, the memory of Cotolay lives on. In 1966, director Juan A. Nieves Conde took his story to the big screen. Actor Vicente Parra was in charge of bringing San Francisco to life, while French actor Didier Haudepin played the role of the coalman.

If you have been captivated by this legend, we encourage you to visit the Monastery of San Francisco for yourself and learn more about its protagonist.