Is it "Cruz De Ferro" or "Cruce De Ferro", or something else entirely?

[jrm]

Hello all,

I'm working on a project, and am trying to figure out the correct spelling of "cruz de ferro". I've seen a few different spellings. Anyone have an answer on which is correct?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

In Spanish, a "cruz" is a cross, as in a crucifix. A "cruce" is a crossing, like a crossroads. So it is Cruz de Ferro. The cross of iron.

 

[Anamya]

Anyone have an answer on which is correct?

It will depend on which language you are speaking. In what we know as "Spanish" (which is actually the Castellano dialect), it would be "Cruz de Hierro". However, this is probably one of the least used ways to name it.
"Cruz de Ferro" is in Galician (galego), therefore the name usually used by the Cathedral of Santiago (located in the Galicia Autonomous Community) and other official institutions. It is also spelt that way in Portuguese.
"Cruz de Fierro" is the Leonese spelling, as the cross itself is in the Leon province.

 

[LesR]

Hello all,

I'm working on a project, and am trying to figure out the correct spelling of "cruz de ferro". I've seen a few different spellings. Anyone have an answer on which is correct?

A quick bit of googling and the spanigh Basic Geographical Gazetteer (https://www.europeandataportal.eu/data/es/dataset/spaignwfs_ngbe_201301) might be the authoritative source of the 'corect' spelling....

 

[scruffy1]

Cruz de Ferro? True, the obvious parts of it are iron. I myself have followed tradition and have placed there on 5-6 different occasions bits of Jerusalem limestone or Meleke (Royal Stone) as our Arab neighbors call it. There is a huge pile of stones pebbles and rocks from other pilgrims as well. Sadly there are also piles and piles of postcards, plastic knickknacks, ribbons, notes, greeting cards, flags, dolls, I've seen business cards, a poster once - all which may look lovely when placed but after two or three Galician rainstorms the site - so spiritual for many pilgrims - often takes the appearance of a sad trash heap. Restraint is not one of my virtues but here, I believe, restraint should be applied.

 

[scruffy1]

P.S. As you approach the Cruz de Ferro, you know it's right there ahead of you, often you can hear the noise of many people gathered in the distance - as you approach there is a small memorial stone often passed unseen or ignored, a stone commemorating those who died in the Spanish Cival War. No politics mind you, but do stop for a sobering thought on this conflict and on other wars elsewhere.

 

[Pelegrin]

It will depend on which language you are speaking. In what we know as "Spanish" (which is actually the Castellano dialect), it would be "Cruz de Hierro". However, this is probably one of the least used ways to name it.
"Cruz de Ferro" is in Galician, therefore the name usually used by the Cathedral of Santiago (located in the Galicia province) and other official institutions. It is also spelt that way in Portuguese.
"Cruz de Fierro" is the Leonese spelling, as the cross itself is in the Leon province.

Yes everything is correct, but Galicia is not a province (and never was). It is an Autonomous Community and has 4 provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

 

[Former member 69452]

P.S. As you approach the Cruz de Ferro, you know it's right there ahead of you, often you can hear the noise of many people gathered in the distance - as you approach there is a small memorial stone often passed unseen or ignored, a stone commemorating those who died in the Spanish Cival War. No politics mind you, but do stop for a sobering thought on this conflict and on other wars elsewhere.

Do you have pic of that stone?

 

[jrm]

Thanks for the input and the history. I really appreciate it! If it’s good enough for the cathedral, the spelling is good enough for me I ended up doing a little vintage travel poster piece based on a photo I took of my buddy walking up to the cross to set his stone down and just wanted to have it marked right.

Cruz Fe Ferro
If I need to delete this link, please let me know. I’m not trying to promote anything, just share some Camino love and put some clarity to the question I was asking!

 

[Former member 69452]

Thanks for the input and the history. I really appreciate it! If it’s good enough for the cathedral, the spelling is good enough for me I ended up doing a little vintage travel poster piece based on a photo I took of my buddy walking up to the cross to set his stone down and just wanted to have it marked right.

Cruz Fe Ferro
If I need to delete this link, please let me know. I’m not trying to promote anything, just share some Camino love and put some clarity to the question I was asking!

I love it. You should post it as a pic. It perfectly captures the profound moment a pilgrim feels as he ascends the mound of burdens.

 

[jrm]

Wow, thanks for the kind words! Will do:

 

[Anamya]

Galicia is not a province (and never was). It is an Autonomous Community and has 4 provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

My bad! I checked the translations (as Portuguese is my first language and Galego is very similar) and did not check the correct naming for the types of regions! I will fix it in the original post so there is no error in that. Thanks for the heads up!

Jrm, nice poster! I hope your friend in the photo liked it too, it is a beautiful job!

 

[Former member 69452]

Wow, thanks for the kind words! Will do:

View attachment 52340

Much Better!

 

[trecile]

Yes everything is correct, but Galicia is not a province (and never was). It is an Autonomous Community and has 4 provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

Yes, many people confuse the different autonomous communities in Spain with provinces. There are 17 autonomous communities (plus two autonomous cities) , with provinces within them.

Autonomous communities of Spain - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[scruffy1]

Do you have pic of that stone?

Sadly no, though once, no politics mind you, I arranged a row of stones spelling out ¡no pasarán! in honor of my two uncles who died in the conflict - fighting for the side which lost.

 

[scruffy1]

Yes everything is correct, but Galicia is not a province (and never was). It is an Autonomous Community and has 4 provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

Should you really want to know try "Galicia-A Concise History" by Sharif Gemie University of Wales Press easily found ABE books

 

[Pelegrin]

Should you really want to know try "Galicia-A Concise History" by Sharif Gemie University of Wales Press easily found ABE books

Ok, thank you , I will read it.
Galicia was part of the Roman province Gallaecia that included Asturias, Leon and North Portugal. Since then never has been considered as "province".

 

[scruffy1]

Ok, thank you , I will read it.
Galicia was part of the Roman province Gallaecia that included Asturias, Leon and North Portugal. Since then never has been considered as "province".

Your local bookshop may have problems finding the book, look here:

Galicia by Sharif Gemie - AbeBooks

Galicia (Histories of Europe) by Gemie, Sharif and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com.

www.abebooks.com

 

[cmg]

Cruz de Ferro - galego
Cruz de Fierro - old spanish
Cruz de Hierro - modern spanish

 

[Pelegrin]

Cruz de Ferro - galego
Cruz de Fierro - old spanish
Cruz de Hierro - modern spanish

Yes fierro is old Spanish but fierru/fierro is also Asturleones.

 

[CWBuff]

Sadly no, though once, no politics mind you, I arranged a row of stones spelling out ¡no pasarán! in honor of my two uncles who died in the conflict - fighting for the side which lost.

¡no pasarán!
brings memories of La Pasionaria & Ruben