In addition to being an old inn for pilgrims, the statue of Santo Antonino was an object of worship among the villagers: “San Antoniño da Areeira é un santo moi milagroso, canso se perde un porquiño, a corbata ten ao pescozo” [“San Antoniño de Areeira is a very miraculous saint, when a little pig gets lost, the tie he has it around his neck”]

In the 18th Century, this building, now converted into a traditional farmhouse, was one of the inns that took in muleteers and pilgrims (Sarmiento, 1754). Still preserved on the wall facing the road is the polychrome statue of San Antoniño Abad, patron saint of animals, represented as an old man, wearing the habit of the order, and with a little pig at his feet. 

Until a very recently, it was taken out in procession and the villages would offer alms to curry the saint’s favour and heal their sick animals. In the parish, important popular songs have been preserved that recall the traditional rivalry with the neighbouring parish of Biduido; thus, one of the cantigas says “San Antonio de Areeira anda no monte co gando, a virxe de Biduído ándallo recadando” [San Antonio da Areeira is in the country with the cattle, the Virgin of Biduido is herding them together]”