Queralbs Local Custom Tips by Belsaita

Saint Giles and the miracle pot

Sant Gil Abad (Saint Giles) was supposed to be born in Athens, but is said he stayed in Núria during four years around 700, to do penance, before escaping the prosecution of Christians and finally died in Rome. Evidence of his physical presence in Núria is difficult to prove.

They say that during his stay in Núria, he and gave mass to the sheperds of the area. There were those who did not want to come for fear of the wolf. On hearing this, Saint Giles left his bagpipes playing alone in the middle of the fields, acting as "sheperds". Still today the shepherds of the western Pyrenees have Saint Giles as their patron saint.

Is said as well the saint hung a pot and made a rich stew for all the shepherds. It was he who sculpted the image of the Virgin. When the Visigoth king Witiza undertook a persecution of Christians, Saint Giles left Núria; after hiding the image of the Virgin in a cave, together with a pot, a bell and a cross. Centuries later these objects were found and became the symbols of Núria. The saint is invoked to protect against nightmares and fear of the darkness.

You can find the pot and he bell inside the Monastery. You should put you head inside the pot and chime the bell, and it's said you headaches will be healed! But, if you're a woman... be careful... it is said that doing this will increase your fertilty as well!! ;))