The Portomarin "Liberty Bell"

[rappahannock_rev]

Can anyone give me the background on the "Liberty Bell" monument that overlooks the Rio Mino at Portomarin? I don't remember ever seeing it before my May 2022 Camino.... It struck me as odd and very much out of place... I can't guess when it was erected or why.... And why are the words on the monument in English and not in Spanish?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I found some information here:

Una campana hermana a Portomarín y O Vicedo

El peregrino promete al tañirla que irá a Fuciño do Porco, en el litoral

www.elprogreso.es

 

[David]

I am not sure (I don't know) - but Wellington's army came that way, forcing the Napoleonic French back and eventually out of Spain - is possible it has something to do with that? Probably not, just me being romantic I should think.

Although it looks old Portomarin is quite new - a hundred years or so ago the river was dammed and a reservoir built - they dismantled Portomarin and rebuilt it where it now is - the remains of old Portomarin are now under water in the reservoir, including the Roman bridge.

 

[davejsy]

Can anyone give me the background on the "Liberty Bell" monument that overlooks the Rio Mino at Portomarin? I don't remember ever seeing it before my May 2022 Camino.... It struck me as odd and very much out of place... I can't guess when it was erected or why.... And why are the words on the monument in English and not in Spanish?

This is definitely interesting, and indeed I took some photos for friends at the bell in October. I didn't appreciate at the time the writing was in English which add's additional intrigue. The linked article doesn't seem to explain in any meaningful sense, and would be great to know the story.

 

[CWBuff]

Coming from Philadelphia area I was completely floored by that discovery.
I was trying to remember if Washington's troops ever made it THAT far trying to pursue the Brits in our Quest for Liberty, but decided that it was not feasible
I believe the closest American of the time would've been John Adams who landed on the W Coast of Spain but never made it to SdC (much to his own disappointment) or Portomarin.

I dont know the background of it though but IIRC the sign says something to the fact that if you ring this one you MUSt do the same at "sister city"... but I dont think that would be Philly (and i would not try even if you could - NPS Rangers will be on you faster that you can say Buen Camino )

 

[M2ME]

The article seems to clearly explain the idea behind the placing of a bell from a wreck off the Galician coast as a reminder to pilgrims that there is more to Galicia than Santiago and the Camino. There is a long and beautiful coastline to be explored. The idea pilgrims seek not only the spiritual but liberty seems like something the respective Mayors PR people dreamt up. As for the use of English in my experience naming/saying something in English is seen as cool in Spain. I am sure it would come as a complete surprise to them that there was another liberty bell in Philadelphia. Of course I could be wrong and it’s just cultural appropriation.

 

[lalaone]

This is very cool! Following on CWBuff's thought, "sister cities" are so interesting to me.

Philadelphia is not one to Portomarin, but Pittsburgh is one to Bilbao - and they really do have so much in common, when you know them both. I like the concept, forgiving mayors and PR. Here is a global list of sister cities for Spain, for anyone interested

 

[Camineiro]

According to this website an identical monument is located at the Punta Fuciño do Porco on the galician north coast near Covas between Foz and Ortigueira.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Lovely photos here:

Punta de Fuciño do Porco · Os Corgos, 27861 Suegos, Lugo, Spain

âââââ · Tourist attraction

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[jayree]

La «campana de la libertad» repica ya en O Fuciño do Porco - BanPe - Banco Peregrino | Caminando Contigo

www.caminandocontigo.com

The English inscription "liberty bell" is engraved on the pedestals of both bells, which means "bell of freedom". A motto that in a way also symbolizes the freedom with which pilgrims, walkers and tourists move from one place to another.

 

[WayneShepard]

According to this website an identical monument is located at the Punta Fuciño do Porco on the galician north coast near Covas between Foz and Ortigueira.

I'm confused now. I rang the Liberty Bell in Portomarin last October. I had read the sign in the adjoining gazebo and I am sure it said the moral obligation was to ring the sister bell in OVIEDO before you die.

 

[WayneShepard]

I'm confused now. I rang the Liberty Bell in Portomarin last October. I had read the sign in the adjoining gazebo and I am sure it said the moral obligation was to ring the sister bell in OVIEDO before you die.

Thank God for the OP and all respondents to this thread. They may have saved my mortal soul. I rang the Liberty Bell in Portomarin last October. However, I misread the name of the sister city (O Vicedo) to which one is morally obligated to ring their replica bell during one's lifetime. Without this post, I may very well have arrived at the Pearly Gates and when St. Peter asked me "Now, did you ring the bell in O Vicedo?", I would have had to answer "Oh!.....I thought the sign said 'Oviedo'."