This oak tree, over 400 years old, is called Caracocha due to the large hole in its trunk, and it is considered the Sacred Oak. It is located in the Town Hall square and features prominently on its coat of arms.
It is linked to the origin of the term “Ribeira Sacra”. Some historians suggest that this was a mistranslation; as in the founding document of the Monastery of Montederramo, the term “rovoyra sacrata” appears, which would correctly translate to Sacred Oak.
The term Sacred Oak originates from a legend that says in the times of King Alfonso XI, when the plague ravaged Galicia, the leaves of this oak were the remedy that saved hundreds of lives.
It all began when the daughter of the Lord of Lemos contracted the disease. He went to the Monastery of Montederramo for the remedy from Bernardo, considered the wisest apothecary of the crown, to save his daughter. Despite the apothecary’s efforts, the daughter of the Lord of Lemos grew weaker, and he threatened to kill all the monks if his daughter died. Despite the mortal threat, the apothecary and his assistants could not find a remedy. One of the youngest apprentices, after disappearing for several days, returned with a woman, Elvira de Boborás, to help; for he had grown up hearing how this woman could cure incurable diseases.
These claims enraged the apothecary, who accused the apprentice of blasphemy and the woman of witchcraft, imprisoning them both. The abbot, fearing the death threat would soon be fulfilled, released them one night, hoping for a remedy. Elvira went to the oak tree planted in the middle of the village and, searching among its branches, chose and cut some, locking herself in the apothecary with them. The next morning, she handed an ointment to the abbot. As soon as the apothecary found out, he angrily convinced others to disobey the abbot and confront Elvira. They took her to the square, bound and naked, and tied her to the oak tree, where they set her on fire.
When the apprentice was about to meet the same fate, the men of the Lord of Lemos arrived and stopped it, as the remedy had taken effect. They did not arrive in time to save Elvira’s life, but they did save her remedy; for she had left the oak leaf cure in her cell.