New Bridge over the San Vicente estuary in San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria (Spain)

One Easter Tuesday, when the residents of San Vicente de la Barquera saw how a mysterious boat was being steered towards its estuary. Apparently without a pilot, without a rudder, without oars, or sails, and without crew members, wrapped in very clear radiance and guided by the image of the Virgin Mary. The neighbors were stunned and everyone left in procession from the parish church waiting for the boat to reach the shore. When she arrived, the procession set out again towards the parish, and it is said that, at first, they took her to Santa María de los Ángeles and that, the next day, she appeared where her chapel is, for which reason she made the decision to place it where she wanted.

Legend from San Vicente de la Barquera

Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) across the Ría de San Vicente in San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria (Spain)

“... vencidos por los cerros que dominan la ría, se distingue el incomparable panorama de San Vicente. La inmensa anchura del valle a cuyo extremo se alza esta villa, la proximidad del mar, la gallarda situación del caserío entre dos puentes, las lejanas y altísimas montañas..."

From Cuarenta Leguas por Cantabria

Benito Pérez Galdós

Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) over the Ría de San Vicente in San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria (Spain)

Puente de la Barquera,

si ves mi bien pasar,

sobre las aguas, si ves mi bien, 

que va a la ermita de la ensenada, 

donde los ecos llevan plegarias 

que van al mar, si ves mi bien..., 

dile que el viento sale y se va, 

di que la luna clara sale y se va.

Angel Sopeña